a. Statement of Policy i. We recognise that discrimination is unacceptable and, although equality of opportunity has been a long-standing feature of our practices and procedure, we have made the decision to adopt a formal equal opportunities policy. ii. Breaches of the policy will lead to disciplinary proceedings and, if appropriate, disciplinary action. The aim of the policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. iii. The policy will also be communicated to all private contractors reminding them of their responsibilities in respect of equality of opportunity. iv. We will maintain a neutral workplace in which no employee or other worker feels under threat or intimidated. b. Recruitment and selection i. The recruitment and selection process is crucially important to any equal opportunities policy. We will endeavour through appropriate training to ensure that employees making selection and recruitment decisions will not discriminate, whether consciously or unconsciously, in making these decisions. ii. Promo