Develop an organisational equality and diversity policy
Overview
This standard is about the skills and knowledge needed for you to develop an organisational equality and diversity policy. Food and drink businesses require a number of different policies; setting a clear equality and diversity policy can reduce the need for disciplinary and legal action and can help retention in the workplace. Equality and diversity is a regulated area of business and policies developed in this area must comply with regulated minimum requirements. You must be able to determine your businesses stance on diversity and scope the content of an organisational equality and diversity policy. You must also be able to comply with regulations relating to equality and diversity requirements and ensure colleagues contribute to the policy development process. You will need to know and understand the regulatory requirements, requirements and responsibilities of the governing body. You must also know and understand the limits of authority and possible risks associated with the operation of a food business. This standard is for you if you work in food and drink operations and/or supply operations and are involved in developing an organisational equality and diversity policy.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Gather information
source information relating to the regulated requirements of an
equality and diversity policy
source information from a variety of sources relating to the
development of best practice content of an equality and diversity
policy
research best practice relating to the development of equality and
diversity policies
communicate the intention to write or revise an equality and
diversity policy to the workforce
follow guidance from relevant professionals on the content of an
equality and diversity policy
Write a policy
embed the requirements of all equality and diversity regulations
into the policy content
evaluate the implications of the policy on current organisational
systems and procedures
confirm the policy is based on current best practice
confirm the policy reflects the beliefs of the food and drink
business
embed within the policy the intention of the food and drink
business to monitor compliance with the equality and diversity
policy
write a draft equality and diversity policy
Confirm the policy content
communicate the draft policy to colleagues adhering to
organisational requirements
confirm the draft policy is communicated clearly and in a way that
meets the needs of different audiences
encourage feedback, questions and debate relating to the policy
confirm the content of the policy meets organisational and legal
requirements
record, store and communicate the confirmed policy in
accordance with organisational requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
the regulatory requirements of those providing governance to a
food and drink business and the processes and systems required
to provide governance to a food and drink business
the remit of the governing body and the limits of its authority
the regulatory requirements relating to the operation of a business
and those specifically relating to the operation of a food and drink
business
- the different options available for the legal format of a food and
drink business including sole trader, partnership, limited company
or not for profit community interest companies and industrial and
providence societies
- the advantages and disadvantages of each legal format and how
it affects the operation of a food and drink business
- how the legal format can affect the tax position of the food and
drink business
- the social and ethical responsibilities of the governing body of a
food and drink business
- the specific liabilities that lie with the governing body of a food and
drink business including health and safety, insurance, public
liability, fire regulations, copyright and patent and others who this
liability ultimately lies with
- why adherence to compliance with regulations, codes of practice
and organisational requirements is essential to the success of a
food and drink business and why it is important for the governing
body to recognise and understand this
- the importance of informed input into decision making around
strategy and policy development in a food and drink business
- the financial risks associated with the operation of a food and
drink business and the implications to those providing governance
if the food and drink business were to fail