1. Our Commitment
At IT8, we believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion are not just legal obligations but fundamental drivers of innovation, creativity, and business success. As a premium headhunting agency, we are committed to building an inclusive culture both within our own team and throughout the IT sector we serve. We strive to provide a fair, transparent, and respectful environment where everyone, regardless of their background, can thrive.
This policy is a formal statement of our commitment to promoting equal opportunities and preventing all forms of unlawful discrimination. We are dedicated to ensuring that all individuals—employees, candidates, clients, and partners—are treated with dignity and respect.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all aspects of our business, including:
- The recruitment, selection, and treatment of our own employees.
- Our interactions with candidates throughout the entire headhunting process.
- Our partnerships and engagements with clients and suppliers.
- All forms of communication, both internal and external.
3. Our Principles & Practices
IT8 is committed to providing equal opportunities and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, victimisation, or bullying on the basis of any protected characteristic, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. This includes: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Our core practices and commitments include:
- Inclusive Recruitment: We are dedicated to creating and presenting diverse candidate shortlists to our clients. We will actively challenge unconscious bias in our sourcing and screening processes to ensure we are identifying the best talent from the widest possible pool. We use inclusive language in all job descriptions and communications.
- Zero Tolerance for Discrimination: We will not accept discriminatory instructions from clients. If a client provides a discriminatory brief (e.g., based on age, gender, race, etc.), we will refuse to act on it and will instead offer guidance on how to build a more inclusive and effective hiring strategy.
- Fair and Objective Selection: Our headhunting process is based solely on a candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications. We will ensure all candidates are assessed against objective criteria, providing a level playing field for everyone.
- Workplace Culture: We are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. We encourage open dialogue and provide a safe environment for all employees to express their ideas and concerns. Any instance of harassment or discrimination will be investigated promptly and dealt with seriously.
- Education and Training: Our team receives regular training on topics such as unconscious bias and inclusive leadership. This ensures our consultants are equipped to deliver an equitable service to both candidates and clients and to uphold the principles of this policy in all their work.
4. Responsibilities
- The Managing Director has ultimate responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented, monitored, and adhered to across the entire business.
- All Employees are responsible for familiarising themselves with this policy and for upholding its principles in all their professional conduct and interactions.
5. Breach of Policy
Any breach of this policy by an employee, or any report of a client or candidate acting in a discriminatory manner, will be taken seriously. Disciplinary action will be taken where appropriate.
6. Review
This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure it remains relevant, effective, and compliant with all UK legislation and best practices.