Diversity charter

As a company we value people for their differences and actively promote diversity both within our internal business as well as our candidate and client base. This Diversity Charter outlines some of our working practices which, we hope, will assure you of a dedicated and professional team of experts working with you, whether you are seeking employment or employees through our company. If you have any questions relating to the contents of this Diversity Charter, please speak with your Consultant or email our Director of Human Resources Paul Marsh at pmarsh@fss.co.uk

Currently, there is no legal requirement to measure 'people or staff' groups. However, FSS appreciates the benefits of capturing this important information. By understanding our entire candidate database we can achieve our diversity objective of attracting, assisting and ultimately placing a diverse mix of candidates.

To realise this, we have in place many key services and initiatives:

Our attraction methodologies include multi-media advertising techniques together with college and industry body visits, career fairs and local talks. This ensures we reach a wide selection of candidates and accommodate those without access to technology to see and hear about job opportunities.
Our vacancy advertisements are written in plain language and based upon the criteria required for the role, neither directly or indirectly discriminating against any candidates.
Our website provides a host of services for both candidates and clients, from tips on how candidates can improve their career prospects to upcoming legal seminars. The site is accessibility compliant, accommodating those with sight disability.
Our comprehensive candidate registration process is Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) approved and reviewed regularly.
Our offices are able to accommodate candidates requiring wheelchair access and other disabilities.

Furthermore...

We have installed technology at our offices for candidates to use, free of charge, for accessing the Internet or updating their CV.
Candidates have access to a wide selection of competitions and parties, designed to accommodate a diverse selection of tastes.

Our Consultants...

Are fully trained in Competency Based Interviewing techniques.
Are experienced in making effective recruitment decisions based solely upon a candidate's skills and abilities to perform a job.
Are trained to question candidates about non-work based experience in the event of no work history.
Understand that career breaks, part-time and/or flexible work preferences should not disadvantage candidates or clients.
Understand the importance of equal opportunities and work to ethical company standards, where differences are respected and valued.
Extend the opportunity to all our employees to participate in a selection of Volunteer Schemes, with paid leave, which contribute to local, national or worldwide issues. Additionally, our company funds events that raise money for various charities.

Our company:

Actively seeks vacancies from a client base of diverse organisations across a wide geographical territory and business arena.
Attracts a diverse range of vacancies across all skills and levels.
Aims to take details of vacancies from clients without setting unnecessary standards for experience, personal attributes or qualifications other than those which are defined as essential.
Has technology that consists of a fully web-enabled IT system which captures all information relating to the life cycle of a candidate and our own employees. This takes them from their signed 'Workseekers Agreement' through to being placed in a role in line with the Data Protection Act. Additionally, this technology allows us to accommodate our own employees who may request to work from home.
Initiates many client workshops and seminars covering subjects such as 'An Overview of Competency Based Interviewing', Employment Law updates with specialist speakers and Mock Tribunals.

Our commitment to raising standards:

FSS retains its Corporate membership with the REC to ensure we are up to date with all recruitment and selection legislation.
We have successfully been accredited REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) Audited status, assuring clients, candidates & colleagues alike that our processes are in line with recommended best practice. This accreditation places us in the top 5% of the 7,000 REC members.
Having gained Investors In People status, we can assure that our practices are both recognised and benchmarked.
Regular, anonymous Employee Surveys measure how our staff feel about FSS as their employer, helping us to understand what changes can be made to ensure we accommodate our employees more as individuals.
We have been awarded and recognised by The Sunday Times as being one of the Top 100 Best Companies to work for.