About the Civil Service
Diversity and equality
We have launched the next strategy for the civil service called Promoting Equality, Valuing Diversity: A Strategy for the Civil Service.
The Civil Service is committed to promoting and ensuring equality, and to valuing diversity. This covers employment issues, and will help us prepare for the introduction of a new single Equality Duty when it is implemented – which for the first time includes age, sexual orientation and religion or belief.
- Read more about what we're doing to build and develop a diverse Civil Service.
- Download a leaflet setting out the main points [PDF 520KB, 2pages]
- Dowload a copy of the strategy in PDF [PDF 195KB, 28 pages]
- Dowload a copy of the strategy in MS Word [Word 120KB, 28 pages]
- Dowload a copy of the strategy in RTF [RTF 200KB, 28 pages]
Our commitment
We're committed to giving every employee the same opportunities, whatever their background. You can find out more about our policy in the different areas of diversity by clicking on the relevant link below.
- Age
- Caring responsibilities
- Childcare
- Disability
- Gender equality
- Gender identity
- Sexuality/sexual orientation
- Race and ethnicity
- Religion or belief
- Religious affiliation in Northern Ireland
Individuals and managers at all levels of the Civil Service are responsible for complying with the latest legislation in this area. This site provides guidance and advice for them, as well as links to useful information.
Employment
Generally, equality legislation is simple and specific, and the Civil Service will not unlawfully discriminate in any aspect of employment, for example:
- how employees are selected (including deliberate refusal)
- terms offered by the employer
- the way in which employees receive job promotion, training, transfer or any other benefits
- how employees are treated.