1. Purpose
This policy sets out Cheshire West Recycling Ltd commitment to equality, fairness, dignity, and respect for all employees, contractors, and job applicants. It ensures that everyone working within our waste collection, fleet maintenance and HWRC’s ( from April 2026) — including collection crews, drivers, loaders, supervisors, HWRC staff, depot staff, household waste teams and office teams — are treated lawfully and respectfully.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All employees (permanent, fixed‑term, temporary)
- Contractors, and subcontractors
- Depot‑based staff, vehicle and workshop crews, and operational teams
- Office‑based and management staff
- Job applicants and candidates
3. Policy Statement
Cheshire Waste Recycling is committed to:
- Providing equal opportunities for all
- Ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and safe working environment
- Preventing discrimination, harassment, bullying, and victimisation
- Treating all colleagues fairly, regardless of role, background, or protected characteristic
- Ensuring operational decisions (e.g., route allocation, shift patterns, overtime, training) are fair and transparent
- Supporting disabled employees through reasonable adjustments
- Promoting dignity and respect in all interactions — including with members of the public
- We do not tolerate behaviour that undermines dignity at work.
4. Legal Framework
This policy aligns with the Equality Act 2010 and protects individuals from discrimination based on:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
5. Definitions
Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on a protected characteristic.
Harassment: Unwanted conduct that violates dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or offensiveenvironment. This includes “banter”
Bullying: Offensive, intimidating, or malicious behaviour, including misuse of authority
Victimisation: Treating someone unfairly because they raised or supported a concern
Reasonable Adjustments: Changes to support disabled employees, such as modified duties, equipment, or shift patterns.
6. Responsibilities
All Employees: -
- Treat colleagues with dignity and respect
- Avoid offensive language, jokes, or behaviour
- Challenge or report inappropriate conduct
- Respect diversity within teams
- Behave professionally when interacting with the public
Supervisors, Team Leaders, and Managers:-
- Lead by example and set clear expectations
- Address inappropriate behaviour promptly
- Ensure fair allocation of routes, shifts, and overtime
- Support reasonable adjustments
- Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity
HR / People Team
- Provide training and guidance
- Support investigations
- Monitor workforce data and trends
- Ensure recruitment and employment practices are fair
7. Recruitment and Selection
We will:
- Advertise roles fairly and transparently
- Use objective, job‑related criteria
- Make reasonable adjustments during recruitment
- Ensure fair access to training (e.g., HGV training, CPC, progression to driver roles)
- Monitor diversity in operational and management roles
8. Dignity at Work
Unacceptable behaviour includes:
- Offensive or discriminatory “banter”
- Nicknames or comments about appearance, race, religion, disability, or gender
- Excluding someone from team activities or information
- Misusing authority
- Spreading rumours
- Displaying offensive material in depots or vehicles
- Harassment from members of the public (which must be reported and supported)
9. Public‑Facing Interactions
Employees may experience:
- Verbal abuse
- Discriminatory comments
- Aggressive behaviour from residents
Cheshire West Recycling will:
- Support employees who experience harassment from the public
- Record and escalate incidents
- Work with the police where necessary
- Never penalise employees for reporting incidents
10. Raising Concerns
Employees can raise concerns through:
- Informal resolution (where appropriate) - Speaking to a supervisor, manager, or HR
- Formal grievance procedures
- Whistleblowing routes
Concerns will be handled sensitively and without victimisation.
11. Investigations
- Investigations will be:
- Prompt, fair, and impartial
- Conducted by trained staff
- Based on evidence
- Concluded with clear recommendations
- NB: Disciplinary action may follow.
12. Training and Awareness
We will provide:
- Equality, diversity, and dignity‑at‑work training
- Toolbox talks for operational teams
- Manager training on handling concerns
- Clear signage and reminders in depots
13. Monitoring and Review
Cheshire West Recycling will:
- Review this policy bi-annually or following any change in legislation
- Monitor workforce data (e.g., diversity, grievances, turnover)
- Take action to address inequalities
Related Policies
- Code of Conduct
- Health and Safety Policy
- Grievance Policy
- Disciplinary Policy
- Lone Working Policy