Diversity and Inclusion: Anti-Discrimination Policy

Use this customizable PeopleGoal Anti-Discrimination Policy template as an outline for your company’s Diversity & Inclusion policies.

What is an Anti-Discrimination Policy?

An anti-discrimination policy is a series of processes and procedures put in place by organizations to maximize Diversity and Inclusion within the workplace and to promote equal opportunities.

Companies must define both Diversity and Inclusion to constitute what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Policies apply to employees, contractors, customers, and stakeholders.

Why is it important to have an Anti-Discrimination Policy?

Under the Equality Act (2010), companies are legally required to protect the rights of, and prevent staff from discriminating against workers based on their race, gender, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.

This reduces unfair treatment, advances equality and opportunity for all and promotes a more fair society in general.

It is important to value and respect all diverse life experiences within your company culture. Equal opportunities in terms of promotion, compensation, and benefits should be available for all employees.

Anti-Discrimination policies ensure that people feel safe, confident, and comfortable at work. No one should experience prejudice or harassment and everybody deserves to have a voice.

What’s included in an Anti-Discrimination Policy?

Our Anti-Discrimination Policy template includes:

1. A Company Mission Statement
2. A declaration of how Diversity & Inclusion is a part of your company values
3. Your company’s definition of “Diversity” and “Inclusion”
4. A list of measures taken to promote D&I and ensure equal opportunities
5. A point of contact to report discrimination and offer suggestions

Examples of Measures taken

• Provide company documents in multiple languages and tactile writing systems, including Braille for the visually impaired
• Modified company facilities for people with mobility challenges
• Guaranteed generous parental leave policy for new parents of adoptive and biological children
• All employees permitted to submit requests for additional days of leave due to religious holidays
• Compulsory sensitivity training for all senior employees and managers
• Regular employee surveys gather consensus on attitudes around diversity/inclusion
• Flexible-work programs for individual mitigating cases including health problems, family and religious commitments
• Blind screening of résumés and diverse interview panels for job candidates
• Recruitment outreach initiatives for more diverse talent pools
• Gender-neutral restrooms and nonbinary gender choices on surveys

Disclaimer: The PeopleGoal Policies are general templates and should only be used as a basis for company policies. Please take into account all local, state, and federal laws when drafting your company’s final policies. This is not a legal document or a contract, and PeopleGoal will not assume any legal liability associated with the use of this document.

If you need further guidance on how to implement diversity and inclusion in your workplace, read our Insider’s Guide on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.