The Union is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is unreservedly opposed to any form of discrimination being practised against its own employees, potential employees or its members on the grounds of their sex, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, class, caring responsibilities, marital status, sexuality, physical or mental disability, age, or other status or personal characteristic. The Union shall always seek to ensure that Nationwide respects and acts in accordance with both the letter and the spirit of the relevant Equal Opportunities Policy.
National Equality Officer and Regional Equality Officers
At Conference 2007 a new post of National Equality Officer was approved. The National Equality Officer is a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and is responsible for co-ordiating the work of Regional Equality Officers and monitoring the Union's policy about diversity and equality of opportunities.
The National Equality Officer for 2008/2009 is: Mike Moir
Following the motion passed at Conference 2001, a new position of Equality Officer was created within each of the Regional Councils. For 2008/2009, the Equality Officers are:
West - vacant
*EO positions to be confirmed at Regional Council meetings in Feb/March 2008.
The role of the Equality Officer (EO) is primarily to promote the importance of treating all members equally. The aim is to achieve this by ensuring all members are consulted fully in relation to any issues and in particular those that may be specific to minority groups.
At least one of the Equality Officers attend each of the Advisory Committee meetings.
Diversity & Equal Opportunity Committee (DEOC)
At the beginning of 2003 NGSU, together with Nationwide, highlighted the importance of Diversity. We, as human beings, come in all shapes, sizes and abilities, and from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs; we also have various personalities. All of these are embraced within this word - Diversity.
One step Nationwide took, working with NGSU, was to form the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Committee (DEOC). Comprising Senior Managers across the business areas together with the General Secretary of the Union, Tim Poil. The overriding aim of DEOC is to give 'Every employee the chance to fulfil their potential'
NGSU is an inclusive Union and seeks to ensure that it represents the views of all members. Our structure of Representatives has led, over the years, to a very comprehensive set of Terms and Conditions of employment that benefit all of our members - but there is always more to be done. Breaking down the barriers made sense both for Nationwide as a business and for each and every employee. As a result, four Advisory Committees have been established.
These Advisory Committees are a valuable forum for groups of members to share experiences and they are an important source of information and feedback to both the National Executive Committee and the DEOC.
Advisory Committees
The Union has developed a number of advisory committees comprising union members from minority groups. The Committees provide a forum form members to discuss specific issues relating to their group and to share experiences across all groups. The Committees provide advice to the National Executive Committee (NEC) and DEOC on aspects of the equality agenda.
There are currently four Advisory Committees. Members are welcome to join the committees. As an Advisory Committee member you are entitled to five paid days off to attend meetings and carry out your duties. The Advisory Committees normally meet three times a year. You can find out more about each Committe by clicking on the links below.
- Disability Advisory Committee
- Ethnicity Advisory Committee
- Lesiban, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee
- Members over age 55 Advisory Committee