Diversity Statement

Mash Media Group Ltd is committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality in our policies and in our interactions with our staff, clients, and all stakeholders. We are committed to all aspects of equality and have published equality objectives covering all equality strands.

All staff are encouraged to share their diversity details by recording them, confidentially, on Mash Media’s electronic HR system. The data helps to evaluate the performance of our policies and processes, and to identify issues that might need addressing.

The Company respects all religious faiths, beliefs and practices equally as they are represented within the workplace. All employees have the right, within the law, to religious freedom and to the peaceful practice and expression of their religious faith, including the beliefs, values and practices involved in them. As part of our culture it is the expectation and requirement that religious groups and adherents of all faiths within the Company should accord full respect to the religious faith, beliefs, values and practices of others, and for those who subscribe to no faith.

The legitimate right of religious people, within the law, to religious freedom and the peaceful practice and expression of religious faith should be demonstrated by consideration and by a concern for the freedom and dignity of those of differing religious faith and of those subscribing to none. In practice this implies:

• Respect for another person’s expressed wish to be left alone
• The avoidance of the imposition of religious views on individuals who are in vulnerable situations in ways which exploit these
• The avoidance of violent action or language, threats, manipulation, improper inducements or the misuse of any kind of power
• Respect for the right of others to disagree

Disregard for any of the above will be considered a breach of the fundamental principle of respect for others and may constitute harassment.

The Company has an appearance policy which must be adhered to whilst welcoming the variety of appearance brought by individual styles, customs and personal choices. The wearing of items arising from particular religious norms (e.g. hijab, kippah, mangal sutra and clerical collar) is seen as part of a welcome diversity. Only health and safety requirements may mean that for certain tasks specific   items of clothing such as overalls, protective clothing etc. need to be worn. If such clothing produces a conflict with an individual’s religious belief, the issue will be sympathetically considered by the Line Manager or supervisor, with the aim of finding a satisfactory resolution that does not compromise the health and safety of any Company’s employees, customers or business partners.

Wearing slogans or symbols which are discriminatory (e.g. racist or sexist) is a disciplinary offence and will be dealt with accordingly.

For many religious people the daily practice of corporate, personal or private prayer is a primary responsibility and one of the ways in which religious practice constitutes and sustains a sense of personal identity. Adherents of a religion should advise their Line Manager if they have any special requirements in this regard. Line Managers are responsible for ensuring that if other staff or students are affected by an individual’s spiritual needs, a reasonable degree of respect and understanding is exercised between them and a sensible solution found.

Where facilities are sought by employees, the Company will make reasonable efforts to provide accommodation (with appropriate additional facilities, such as washing facilities, nearby).

All staff, without exception, are required to work in accordance with their contract, although there is normally some flexibility over how the hours are worked. Where the hours conflict with religious beliefs please speak to your Line Manager and we will try to respond sympathetically whilst meeting the needs of the business.

Appropriate and sympathetic consideration will be given by Line Managers to requests for leave from employees specifically wishing to participate in their religious festivals where these are not covered by UK Public Holidays. Good communication, well in advance of the festival in question, is essential in fostering flexible and appropriate responses. Staff should advise Line Managers of leave requests for the coming year at the start of the leave year, or on joining the Company. Line Managers should follow the normal holiday request format for granting annual leave and in exceptional circumstances, unpaid leave, to facilitate these requests.

Whilst such requests will not be refused unreasonably without adequate explanation, it must be appreciated that Managers must always ensure the service to our customers does not suffer.