Recruitment Policies & Procedures

Policy Review Date: October 2021

Next Review Date: October 2022

Equal Opportunities Policy

It is Clarus Education Ltd.’s policy to treat all job applicants and employees fairly and equally, regardless of sex, pregnancy or maternity, trans-gender status, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, civil partnership status, age, race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origins or disability, or any other grounds (whether prohibited by legislation or otherwise).

Clarus Education is totally committed to creating a working environment in which you are treated with dignity and respect, which is free from unlawful discrimination, victimisation or harassment.

The non-discrimination principle inherent in this policy includes the prohibition of discrimination against an individual because he or she associates with someone of a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, age, etc., for example an employee who is married to someone of a minority ethnic origin or who socialises with gay or lesbian friends. The prohibition on discrimination applies equally to situations where someone thinks or perceives (whether rightly or wrongly) that a colleague is of a particular race, sexual orientation, religion, age, sex or that he or she has a disability, is a trans-gender person, or is pregnant.

The policy applies to the process of recruitment and selection, promotion, training, conditions of work, pay and benefits and to every other aspect of employment, including general treatment at work and the processes involved in the termination of employment.

Where increased pay and/or enhanced benefits are offered to employees on the basis of length of service, these are intended to reward loyalty, maintain motivation and reflect higher levels of relevant experience.

The policy applies to job applicants (both internal and external) and all employees and other workers whether full time, part time, temporary, seasonal or contractual.

When establishing criteria for recruitment and promotion into vacant posts, the employer will consider carefully whether any minimum or maximum number of years of relevant experience is necessary for effective performance of the job. Such restrictions will not be imposed unless there is a proper job-based reason why they are necessary.

Clarus Education Ltd. does not operate any compulsory retirement age, and each employee may choose for him/herself when to stop working, subject to him or her continuing to be sufficiently fit to perform his or her job to a satisfactory standard.

Employees who are disabled or become disabled in the course of their employment should inform Ellen O’Shea about their disability. Management will then arrange to discuss with the employee what reasonable adjustments to his or her job or working conditions or environment might assist him or her in the performance of his or her duties. The employee will also be encouraged to suggest any adjustments that he or she believes would be helpful. Careful consideration will be given to any proposals and, where reasonable and reasonably practicable, such adjustments will be made. There may, however, be circumstances where it will not be reasonable or reasonably practicable for the company to accommodate proposals put forward by the employee.

This policy will be monitored on a regular basis by senior management. Where there are issues with the way the policy is working, these will be looked at closely with a view to identifying measures to improve the effectiveness of the policy.

Every manager and employee has personal responsibility for the implementation of this policy. Any instance of doubt about the application of the policy, or other questions, should be addressed to the Ellen O’Shea as should any requests for special training.

We take this policy very seriously. A breach of this policy is considered to be gross misconduct and disciplinary action, including dismissal for serious offences will be taken against people who do not comply with it.

 

1. What is Discrimination?

Broadly, a person has been discriminated against if:

 

2. What is Harassment?

Harassment is unwanted conduct which violates a person's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person. Harassment is unlawful where it is motivated by one of the grounds set out above but we include more general harassment within our definition. Although not exhaustive, the following are examples of types of behaviour that may amount to harassment:

 

 

3. What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment may take many forms, from relatively mild sexual banter to physical violence. Employees may not always realise that their behaviour constitutes sexual harassment but they must recognise that what is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another. Sexual harassment may be physical, verbal or non-verbal. Examples include:

 

 

4. What is Victimisation?

Someone is victimised where they suffer unfavourable treatment because they have, in good faith, made a complaint under this policy, acted as a witness or accompanied a complainant to a hearing.

 

5. Responsibilities

It is your obligation to be sensitive about the impact that you have on others and behave in a way that supports our policy when dealing with everyone that you come into contact with as part of your employment with Clarus Education. Our policy is not designed to discourage normal social relations among colleagues or with the public but aims to prevent discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

 

Our policy applies not only at Clarus education’s premises but anywhere you are working as part of your employment with Clarus Education. This includes any social occasions or member meetings organised by Clarus Education or that you attend on behalf of Clarus Education.

 

You must not condone discrimination, harassment or victimisation by others. You should report any incidents that you believe to be discriminatory to Ellen O’Shea.

 

6. The Complaints Procedure

We aim to resolve any complaints as quickly as possible. All complaints will be treated seriously and confidentially. Only complaints that relate to a breach of this policy should be made using this procedure.

 

What do I do if I am experiencing discrimination, harassment or victimisation?

You should consider whether it is appropriate to raise the matter directly with the person concerned in order to resolve the problem. If it is not, you should speak to your Danny Jillions.

 

Following your discussion, you will be asked to choose one of the following options:

If you are not satisfied with an informal approach, a formal complaint can be made at any stage.

 

How do I make a formal complaint?

You should make your complaint in writing and sign and date your letter. You will be heard by a Danny Jillions.  You will find out the result of your complaint within 10 working days of the receipt of your letter. You may ask that someone of the same sex hears your complaint. If your request is reasonable in your particular circumstances, a different person than that chosen initially by Clarus Education may need to be selected to hear your complaint. If you are interviewed as part of your complaint, you will have the same right to be accompanied as in our grievance procedure.

If the complaint, at any stage of the process, has resulted in a disciplinary investigation against another person, the case will not normally be reopened if you escalate the complaint to the next stage.

 

What will happen after I have made my complaint?

Where a formal complaint is made, a full investigation will be conducted.

 

The first step is to investigate the allegations carefully and as discreetly as possible. This will involve hearing detailed accounts from all parties. Other members of staff may also be asked to provide information.  Documents, e-mail and other evidence may be considered. A full record of the progress and outcome of the investigation and any steps taken will be reported to the complainant.

 

Those conducting the investigation will not be parties directly involved in the allegation.

 

What will happen if a formal complaint about a person is upheld?

Where a formal investigation has been conducted and where it has been reasonably concluded that some form of discrimination, harassment or victimisation may have taken place, those responsible will be subject to our normal disciplinary procedures.

 

Action will not normally be initiated without the agreement of the complainant but there are some circumstances where Clarus Education may need to pursue the matter formally. For example, if other people could be at risk if no action is taken.

 

The outcome of the disciplinary procedures will depend upon the circumstances. Serious acts of discrimination, harassment or victimisation will be regarded as gross misconduct and may lead to instant dismissal.

 

Am I protected if I make a complaint, act as a witness or accompany a complainant to a hearing?

Yes. Any acts of retaliation or intimidation against an employee will be treated as a disciplinary offence. Having said this, an employee who maliciously makes an unfounded complaint will be subject to disciplinary action.

 

What if the complaint is about someone who is not employed by the Clarus Education?

Appropriate action to deal with the problem will be discussed with you.

 

7. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We understand that people's needs at work are different and that some employees may have special requirements. For example, employees of a particular religion may need somewhere quiet to pray during their lunch break, need to take holiday on a particular day for a religious event, or need to have somewhere to store specially prepared foods. Alternatively you may have a disability and may feel that you need to have changes made to your workplace to help you do your job.  

 

We will accommodate your requirements where it is possible and practical for us to do so but we cannot do so unless you let us know.

 

GDPR

We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information. We will store candidate’s information up to 5 years, however a candidate can request for their details to be removed from our system at any point.

 

DBS Disclaimer

If a school wants to see a candidate before a DBS has been issued through us, we provide a ‘DBS Disclaimer’. This covers Clarus Education Ltd from accepting any liability from a client as the candidates DBS will still be in process with us at the time of the interview. The form contains all the checks that have been done by Clarus, by doing this the client can carry out their own risk assessment. The disclaimer will need to be signed by the client ahead of the candidate interview.

 

Recruitment Procedure

Clarus Education Ltd aim to ensure that the recruitment procedure is stringently followed by every member of staff to ensure we have a non-bias recruitment selection. A candidate cannot be clear for work unless all these steps have been followed through. After a consultant has got in contact with a  candidate and deems them to be suitable for a role; the steps below will be followed:

 

Step 1

The candidate will need to fill out three online forms to register with Clarus Education Ltd, this will include the following:

 

Step 2

Personal profile: A short profile (approx. 300 words) would be requested by the consultant to be written in 3rd person. This would give schools an insight into a candidates personality, ambitions and goals. It is all about highlighting their strengths to help them secure a role of their choice. An example would be attached.

Step 3

Candidates will be requested to send through relevant documentation to the Compliance team on registration@clarus-education.co.uk. This will include them providing Proof of right to work and ID, proof of address, qualifications and a DBS if obtained. Once this information has been received, the Compliance team will contact the candidate to arrange a Zoom call to verify these. Original documents MUST be shown. If a DBS is required, the compliance team would need to send this information to the candidate on how to apply. References will be contacted as well as ensuring overseas checks are obtained where applicable.

Step 4

After the zoom call, the Compliance team will send a copy of the Terms of Engagement. This will include information on our contract with the temporary worker. A candidate declaration document will also be sent, this will include a summary of what the consultant and compliance officer would have gone through. The candidate will then have the opportunity to ask any further questions before signing off both forms.

 

Compliance Protocols

Clear for interview – A candidate will need to have the following:

For a candidate to be fully cleared in our books, we will have needed to obtain two references.