Equal Opportunities

In this section:

• Equal Opportunties and the Highland Council
• Information on Highland Council's Disability Equality Scheme
• Information on Highland Council's Gender Equality Scheme
• View the Highland Council's Equal Opportunities Monthly Bulletin
• Highland Council Equal Pay Statement. Equal Pay Statement

Equal Opportunties and the Highland Council

The Council has obligations to meet the requirements of UK Equal Opportunities legislation.  Recent and impending changes to the legal framework extend our responsibility as a public body to promote and encourage equal opportunities in addition to tackling unlawful discrimination.  Beyond the legal requirements, the Council has stated that equality of opportunity and the prevention of discrimination are fundamental to its goals and values.  The Equal Opportunities Officer supports and contributes to the development of policies and practices in keeping those principles.

The effects of stereotyping and deep rooted prejudices mean that some groups in our community continue to face discrimination; the Council believes that it is essential to operate fair employment practices which recruit and promote people on the basis of merit and ability, and to strive to deliver best value services that are accessible to all.  The Council’s equal opportunities policies are in accordance with current and forthcoming legislation to promote equal opportunities and provide protection from discrimination on the following grounds:

• Disability
• Gender
• Age (2006)
• Race
• Sexual Orientation
• Religion or belief