The Benefits of Inclusive Recruitment

Inclusive recruitment is more than a fair hiring process — it’s a commitment to building workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles into every stage of recruitment, employers open the door to a wider range of skills, perspectives and lived experiences.

This not only strengthens organisational culture but also leads to better decision‑making, improved performance, and greater innovation. When businesses actively remove barriers and create equitable pathways into work, they attract diverse talent, foster trust, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to social responsibility.

Inclusive recruitment isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic advantage that benefits employers, employees, and the communities they serve.

Protected Characteristics (Equality Act 2010)

✅ Age

✅ Disability

✅ Gender reassignment

✅ Marriage and civil partnership

✅ Pregnancy and maternity

✅ Race

✅ Religion or belief

✅ Sex

✅ Sexual orientation

Additional Characteristic

Care experienced: Nottingham City Council passed its motion to consider Care Experience as a protected characteristic in January 2023.

Further Reading

  • The Equality Act 2010 is a major piece of UK legislation that makes it illegal to discriminate against someone because of certain protected characteristics.

  • Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy sets out Nottingham City Council’s commitment to promoting fairness, respect and equality in everything we do. It provides the framework for how we create an inclusive working environment and deliver services that meet the needs of our diverse communities.

    The policy applies to all Council employees and reinforces our zero‑tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation. It reflects our belief that Nottingham’s diversity is one of the city’s greatest strengths and should be valued, protected and celebrated.

  • Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy 2025–2028 sets out Nottingham City Council’s commitment to creating a fairer, more inclusive organisation and city where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.

    Rooted in our Strategic Council Plan, the strategy outlines how we will challenge discrimination, reduce inequalities, and improve outcomes for our diverse communities. It places equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do from how we recruit, support and develop our workforce, to how we design and deliver accessible, inclusive services for residents.

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Inclusive Toolkit