Equality and Diversity Policy Template UK
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy Template (UK)
Approx. 8 pages · 15 sectionsBranded PDF + editable WordLast reviewed:
What is a equality, diversity & inclusion policy and who needs one?
An equality, diversity and inclusion policy sets out how your organisation prevents discrimination and treats staff, applicants and customers fairly under the Equality Act 2010. Every employer is covered by the Act, and public bodies subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty regularly ask suppliers to provide a written EDI policy when they bid.
Public bodies are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty and regularly ask suppliers to evidence their own approach to equality. This template sets out your commitment, the protected characteristics, responsibilities, recruitment practice, complaints and monitoring.
Why buyers ask for this
Public bodies must meet the Public Sector Equality Duty, so they commonly ask suppliers to show how they prevent discrimination and promote equality in their own workforce.
Who needs it
Any organisation bidding for public contracts. Public bodies must have due regard to equality under the Public Sector Equality Duty, so they often ask suppliers how they promote equality.
Where it comes up in a PQQ, SQ or PSQ
Under the Procurement Act 2023, supplier selection uses the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) plus each buyer's own conditions of participation and quality questions. Typical questions this policy supports:
- "Do you have an equality and diversity policy? Please provide a copy"
- Questions on findings of unlawful discrimination by an employment tribunal or court
- Social value questions on inclusive recruitment and workforce diversity
- Requests for evidence of EDI training and how the policy is communicated to staff
- – Often requested in supplier selection stages
- – Supports responses on fair work and inclusive recruitment
- – Buyers may ask for evidence of training and monitoring
What's inside
The full equality, diversity & inclusion policy runs to about 8 pages (including the branded cover and document control page) across 15 sections:
- Purpose
- Scope
- Our Commitment to EDI
- Legal & Regulatory Framework
- Roles & Responsibilities
- Prohibited Conduct
- Recruitment, Selection & Employment
- Training, Development & Progression
- Reasonable Adjustments for Disability & Health
- EDI in Service Delivery & Service user Interactions
- Suppliers, Contractors & Partners
- Raising Concerns, Complaints & Whistleblowing
- Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
- Training & Awareness
- Review
Key points covered
- Commitment statement
- The nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010
- Types of discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- Fair recruitment, pay and promotion
- Reasonable adjustments
- Raising concerns and complaints
- Training and monitoring
- Responsibilities and review
Every document carries your logo, company name, version number, approval signatory and next review date, in branded PDF plus editable Word.
UK legislation, standards and guidance it references
Excerpt preview
[Your Company Ltd] (“the Company”) is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work – as an employer, as a partner, and as a service provider working in and around customers’ premises and communities. The purpose of this Policy is to: This Policy applies to: This Policy should be read alongside: Compliance with this Policy is mandatory.
Get your equality, diversity & inclusion policy in minutes
£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. One-off payment.
Tender deadline this week? Download in 10 minutes.
How to adapt it
- Read every section and remove anything that doesn’t reflect how your organisation actually works.
- Complete the bracketed [ADAPT] prompts with your own arrangements, people and data.
- Have the policy approved and signed by a director or equivalent, and communicate it to staff.
- Keep evidence that you follow it, and review it by the date shown.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy FAQs
What are the protected characteristics?
Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation (Equality Act 2010).
Do small businesses need an EDI policy?
It is not a legal requirement in itself, but the Equality Act applies to all employers and buyers frequently ask for a written policy.
What is the difference between equality, diversity and inclusion?
Equality means fair treatment and equal opportunity; diversity means recognising and valuing difference; inclusion means people feel able to participate fully. A good policy addresses all three, not just legal compliance.
Does the policy cover reasonable adjustments?
Yes. It explains the duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled staff and applicants, how requests are raised and who decides them.
How much does the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy template cost?
£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. It is a one-off payment with no subscription, and you download branded PDF and editable Word files straight away.
Free guides
- Which policies do UK public-sector tenders ask for?
- Tender policy checklist for UK public-sector bids
- Documents needed for public sector tenders: a UK checklist
General information, not legal advice. Requirements differ between buyers and change over time; always check the tender documents.