Providing equal opportunity to all

The British Council amis to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to the development of positive policies to promote equal opportunity in employment and in the delivery of our services.

Our policy aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, creed, ethnic origins or disablement; or is disadvantaged by conditions, management attitudes, behaviour or requirements which cannot be justified.

The principle

The principle that underlines the Council's approach to tackling discrimination is managing diversity. Diversity is an inclusive concept. It takes into account that people differ from one another in many ways: age, race, gender, sexual identity, physical ability, mental capacity, religion, education, economic status, values, personality, experiences, culture, and the way each person approaches work.

Exploring diversity is about understanding and appreciating these differences, developing an environment that enhances their value by being flexible enough to meet needs and preferences. Managing diversity represents a striving to create an organisational culture which is heterogeneous and utilises the maximum participation of all staff to their full potential.

British Council employees understand that they are responsible for upholding the principles of equal opportunities. Line managers and project team leaders have particular responsibility for making certain that all their staff are treated fairly and fulfil their potential.

The practice

The Council aims to select the right person for the right job. Achieving this requires the recruiting manager to:

• be trained in fair selection and interviewing
• draw up a clear job description which includes the relevant skills, knowledge and experience required for the job
• recruit from as wide a field of suitably qualified people as possible
• assess people only on their ability to do the job
• treat all applications on the basis of merit
• ask similar questions of candidates regardless of their sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, or disability
• be flexible in working and contractual conditions e.g. consider whether a member of staff on a parent's contract could do the job
• complete documentation on the selection process and ensure that it is kept

The Council’s equal opportunity policy covers all stages of the recruitment process. Job applicants who think they have been unfairly discriminated against in recruitment should make their complaints in writing, within one month to:

Director, HR
British Council
3 Supreme Court Road
Admiralty
Hong Kong

Complaints will be dealt with using the Council’s grievance procedure for job applicants. This does not affect your legal rights.