Nationwide Group Staff Union

NGSU policy on Equality

The Union is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is unreservedly opposed to any form of discrimination being practised against its own employees, potential employees or its members on the grounds of their sex, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, class, caring responsibilities, marital status, sexuality, physical or mental disability, age, or other status or personal characteristic. The Union shall always seek to ensure that Nationwide respects and acts in accordance with both the letter and the spirit of the relevant Equal Opportunities Policy.

Furthermore, the Union will include the promotion of equality through collective bargaining, organisation, union structures, the employment of staff, education, the provision of services and benefits and all other activities.

National Equality Officer and Regional Equality Officers

At Conference 2007 a new post of National Equality Officer was approved. The National Equality Officer is a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and is responsible for coordinating the work of Regional Equality Officers and monitoring the Union's policy about diversity and equality of opportunities.

The National Equality Officer for 2010/2011 is: Keith Pickles

Following the motion passed at Conference 2001, a new position of Equality Officer was created within each of the Regional Councils. For 2010/2011, the Equality Officers are:

West - TBC

East - TBC

North - TBC

South - TBC

London - TBC

NAC - TBC

NH (Products, Service and Sales) - TBC

NH (Support Services) - TBC

Bournemouth - TBC

The role of the Equality Officer (EO) is primarily to promote the importance of treating all members equally. The aim is to achieve this by ensuring all members are consulted fully in relation to any issues and in particular those that may be specific to minority groups.

At least one of the Equality Officers attend each of the Advisory Committee meetings.

Diversity & Equal Opportunity Committee (DEOC)

At the beginning of 2003 NGSU, together with Nationwide, highlighted the importance of Diversity. We, as human beings, come in all shapes, sizes and abilities, and from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs; we also have various personalities. All of these are embraced within this word - Diversity.

One step Nationwide took, working with NGSU, was to form the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Committee (DEOC). Comprising Senior Managers across the business areas together with the General Secretary of the Union, Tim Poil. The overriding aim of DEOC is to give 'Every employee the chance to fulfil their potential'

NGSU is an inclusive Union and seeks to ensure that it represents the views of all members. Our structure of Representatives has led, over the years, to a very comprehensive set of Terms and Conditions of employment that benefit all of our members - but there is always more to be done. Breaking down the barriers made sense both for Nationwide as a business and for each and every employee. As a result, four Advisory Committees have been established.

These Advisory Committees are a valuable forum for groups of members to share experiences and they are an important source of information and feedback to both the National Executive Committee and the DEOC.

If you feel there is a contribution you can make to the Advisory Committees by becoming involved or suggesting items for discussion please let us know.

Note: In May 2009 NGSU withdrew support for the DEOC following the decision by Nationwide to change its approach to relocation assistance. The Union believes that this Society's new discretionary approach to relocation undermines the previous committee to support the development and career progression of all employees and its own Equality Opportunities policy.

Advisory Committees

The Union has developed a number of advisory committees comprising union members from minority groups. The Committees provide a forum form members to discuss specific issues relating to their group and to share experiences across all groups. The Committees provide advice to the National Executive Committee (NEC) and DEOC on aspects of the equality agenda.

There are currently four Advisory Committees. Members are welcome to join the committees. As an Advisory Committee member you are entitled to five paid days off to attend meetings and carry out your duties. The Advisory Committees normally meet three times a year. You can find out more about each Committee by clicking on the links below.