Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Here at the Vernon, we're proud of our inclusive culture. We want to empower our colleagues without fear of discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and beliefs. We enable and celebrate our colleagues’ diverse range of skills, experiences, backgrounds, and opinions.

Today, we're looking at the policies that enable this culture, and how we're always looking to improve equality, diversity, and inclusion within the Society.

Equal Opportunities

We're committed to promoting equal opportunities. All of our colleagues and job applicants receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital and partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. This applies to everything when working for us, including recruitment, pay, conditions, training, appraisals, promotion, conduct at work, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and termination of employment.

Currently, we have three female board members, who make up half of our Board of Directors. We're committed to gender representation in the Society, so this is something we're incredibly proud of.

It's crucial to us that our colleagues are treated fairly and given the same opportunities. We recognise there is always more to do, so here are some ways we support inclusivity for our employees, driven by listening to our people.

Inclusivity

Our colleagues get the same enhanced maternity and adoption pay of 13 weeks full-pay, regardless of circumstances. Our people are important to us, so we want them to feel included and free of discrimination, whatever their family and childcare situations are.

Gender identity is an individual, private matter, and it is our priority that our staff feel safe and included. We have gender-neutral bathrooms throughout our premises. For our customers, we have the option to use ‘Mx’ as their title, for those who do not identify as Mr, Mrs, or Miss. This extends to our colleagues and anyone looking to do business with us.

Like gender, disability is a private matter that is often not visible. We will work with our staff and medical professionals to take reasonable steps to make sure colleagues are not at a disadvantage. Our head office is fitted with ramps and lifts, which means every part of the building I accessible to those in wheelchairs and with limited mobility. We can't be complacent; so we're constantly looking for ways to make our premises and services more accessible for everyone.

Discrimination

We have a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of discrimination, including direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and disability discrimination. There is no place for at the Vernon.

Our Members and colleagues are at the heart of everything we do, and we want our Society to be an inclusive space for all. That's why these policies are so important, and it's why we're always looking to improve them.