Equality and Diversity

January 2012 report

The report highlights the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) staff profile including equality information relating to people affected by policies and practices.

Like all public bodies we are required under Section 149 (1) of the Equality Act 2010 to have due regard to the need to:

  • eliminate discrimination, harassment and bullying;
  • advance equality of opportunity; and
  • foster good relations between different people.

We are also required to publish information (Statutory Instrument 2011/2260), including, in particular, information relating to:

  • persons who share a relevant "protected characteristic" who are employees and other persons affected by policies and practices;
  • one or more specific and measurable equality objectives[1].

The report includes information about:

Our people

IPO is committed to making this a great place to work, where staff are offered flexibility and development, where everyone's contribution is recognised and diversity is genuinely valued.

As an employer it is IPO policy to:

  • Promote a working environment free from discrimination, harassment and victimisation;
  • Ensure that all decisions relating to employment practices are objective, free from bias, and based solely on work criteria and individual merit; with due account taken of an individual’s personal circumstances and the needs of the business;
  • Ensure that disabled employees or job applicants are not placed at a substantial disadvantage by a working practice or policy and to make reasonable adjustments when needed.

  • Values and behaviours
  • Staff profile data
  • Equal pay
  • Reasonable adjustments
  • Flexible working

Other persons affected by policies and practices

Contact

This is intended as a living document and we welcome your comments and suggestions via e-mail on ways in which we can improve our approach to the delivery of intellectual property services.

[1] SI 2011/2260 requires information relating to objective(s) to be published by 6 April 2012 and subsequently at intervals of at least once every four years beginning at the date of last publication.

Internet links