Equality, diversity and human rights

Equality and human rights are some of our core values and shape our approach to jobs, services and other aspects of life in East Renfrewshire.

In working for equality and human rights, we're guided by the views of local people, the laws relating to equality and human rights and the changing world around us.

Equality report and equality outcomes

Read the equality and human rights mainstreaming report 2023 (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
Read the equality and human rights mainstreaming report 2021 (PDF) [4MB] (opens new window)
Read the equality and human rights report 2017 to 2021 (PDF) [939KB] (opens new window)
Read equality mainstreaming report and outcomes for 2017 to 2021 (PDF) [663KB]

Promoting equality

We make sure that in everything we do, we'll work to ensure that everybody is treated fairly, encouraged to contribute fully to the community, and enabled to enjoy the benefits of belonging to the community.

Promoting diversity

We see differences between individuals and groups as valuable assets, to be cherished because they can enrich all of us and not seeing them as problems or concerns.

We believe that we'll get the best from our employees and local people if they can see that their individual and group differences are seen as valuable.

We want to learn from the different experiences, ways of looking at things and skills that different individuals and communities have in East Renfrewshire.

Promoting human rights

We encourage everyone to enjoy their right to participate in decisions which affect their human rights, making ourselves accountable to our customers and correcting any wrongs.

We also take steps to prohibit, prevent and eliminate all forms of unfair discrimination and assist local people to know and claim their rights where necessary, as well as applying the Human Rights Act and other international and regional rights standards.

Fair Work First

The Scottish Government has introduced a fair work criteria to grants, other funding and contracts being awarded across the public sector. 

East Renfrewshire Council are working towards advancing the Fair Work First criteria. Our aim is to deliver good quality and fair work through continuous improvement.

Read our Fair Work First Statement  (PDF) [443KB]

Our legal obligations

We're also committed to fulfilling our positive legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any conduct prohibited by the Act
• advance equality of opportunity between different groups
• foster good relations between different groups

For these values to be meaningful, they have to show in the actual experiences and life chances of our local people and all those who work for us. In other words, we want them to see real, measurable and positive experiences for all of our communities.

Duty to assess and review policies and practices

We accept our obligation to use relevant evidence to assess the impact of applying a proposed new or revised policy or practice against the requirements to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and foster good relations.

We're committed to taking account of the results of any assessment and making arrangements to review and where necessary revise any such policies or practices. We're also committed to publishing, within a reasonable period, the results of any assessment where we decide to apply the policy or practice in question.

In making these commitments, we, like others, believe that a culture of fulfilling these obligations will benefit us in a number of ways including:

• getting our services right from the beginning.
• opening the information on and benefits of our services to more groups.
• ensuring that our decisions impact fairly on our communities.
• making our decisions evidenced-based and transparent.
• providing us a platform for partnership working.