Our aim
Equality is at the heart of everything South Tyneside Council does. We want to make sure that the services we deliver are of the highest quality and can be used by everyone who needs them.
Our aim is to build equality into all of our day-to-day work, policy-making, service delivery and employment practice.
We want South Tyneside to be a place where no one experiences discrimination or disadvantage because of their age, gender, race, disability, faith or belief or sexual orientation.
What do we mean by equality?
Equality is about making sure people are treated fairly and given fair chances. It is also about ensuring that all people achieve equal outcomes, either in the standard of service they receive or as employees. It is not about treating ‘everyone the same’, but recognising that everyone’s needs are met in different ways.
Equality concentrates on the areas covered by law, such as Race, Gender and Disability. More recently the European employment laws makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.
What do we mean by diversity?
Historically organisations and individuals tended to view diversity as a race, gender or disability. In reality, diversity includes sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religious belief, physical ability, educational background, geographical location, marital status, class and work experience to name a few.
A diverse organisation embraces people for their individuality and recognises that customers come from different backgrounds and circumstances. Employees are accepted for their cultural backgrounds and differences in lifestyles and are recognised for their abilities and skills to do the work.
Diversity is not a ‘one off ‘ programme but is at the heart of the organisation and integrated into all daily Council business.
Your views count
Equality legislation is going through some radical changes. Under Policy Documents you will see a list of documents that have been produced as a result of these new duties.
We would like to invite you to become involved with shaping the content of these documents that will largely determine the way your Council deals with equality and diversity in the future. Please click on the item you are interested in looking at and you will be invited to complete an online questionnaire or to write or phone us with your views.