Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2023-2028

To be an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, who's truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all. We'll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. What we'll do will set us apart from others and we'll encourage others to follow our lead, because it's not just the right thing to do, or because the law requires us to, it makes for better outcomes for the Council, the community we serve and our people.

Our vision is about:

• leading a culture where all our people are truly inspired, regardless of their characteristics because we respect individuality knowing that diverse talent brings creativity and innovation, which can only benefit us all
• ensuring we have a working environment that if everyone expects more, they can achieve more
• developing a work experience where people love coming to work knowing that being individual is something to be proud of
• building a brand which is recognised by our future employees as an employer that wants them to bring their best selves to work, knowing that they'll feel valued and welcome, because what they do and how they do it is all that matters to us
• ensuring we have an environment where our people feel able to be themselves, challenge poor behaviours and encourage everyone to be accepting, welcoming and at home at Gateshead Council
• having inspirational leaders who role model what great looks like, being inclusive, treating everyone as equals and applauding diversity
• establishing ways of working that ensures that our practices, process, systems, policies, and procedures support our ambition to be an exemplar for equality, diversity, and inclusion
• providing opportunities for people to grow, learn, develop, and help others
• ensuring that Gateshead Council is a great place to work where people want to come, and people want to stay
• having a workforce which is representative of the community we serve
• achieve significantly more diverse representation across each level of job role in our workforce
• design ways of working that are aimed at improving opportunities for personal growth and progression
• design ways of working that are aimed at removing unintended barriers which hinder and/or prevent individuals from challenged socio economic backgrounds from entering, retaining and progressing their employment
• not only meeting our obligations in line with the Equality Framework for Local Government, but exceeding them
• meeting our obligations and complying with our duties to:
  • eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • advance equality and equity of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic, those who do not and those whose socioeconomic background creates unintended barriers for them
  • foster good relations - including tackling prejudice and promoting understanding, between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not