Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
People are at the heart of DMU. We place being a truly inclusive university at the centre of everything we do, and aim to employ a representative workforce.
Every single person at DMU is different. Critical to our success as a university is the understanding that the diversity of staff, students and the community we serve enhances our strength, opportunities and creativity.
We consider applications solely on the basis of merit – regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy and maternity. We regularly audit our buildings to ensure accessibility for staff and visitors with disabilities.
Harnessing the power of diversity, and creating an environment where staff and students are free to succeed is the ambition of DMU. We simply call this aspiration DMUFreedom
For more information, visit the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion pages.
Disability Confident
DMU is committed to providing a culture in which every single person is treated with dignity and respect, valued for their difference, is supported to excel, and that any disparity in experience, representation or outcome is addressed.
All interview panel members are trained in the university’s recruitment and selection policy which reinforces this commitment. The university recognises that practical adjustments, support and guidance may be required by disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process.
In support of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion for disabled people, we are committed to the Disability Confident scheme, holding a Disability Confident ‘Employer’ award. To achieve this, we have assessed ourselves against a set of statements as outlined on the Disability Confident website, in the key areas of ‘getting the right people for our business’ and ‘keeping and developing our people’. As part of this, we also commit to offering interviews to those who declare they have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the job.
More information about Disability Confident.
Athena Swan and Race Equality Charter Mark
In 2018 we successfully renewed both our bronze institutional Athena SWAN and Race Equality Charter Mark awards, in recognition of DMU’s work to advance gender and race equality. The rigorous process requires a full assessment of the staff lifecycle across all faculties through a gender and race equality lens respectively, and considers areas such as representation, progression, career journey and the working environment.
More information about Athena SWAN.
Stonewall
Stonewall is Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality, working to create a world where every single person can be accepted without exception.
Each year, Stonewall run the Workplace Equality Index, which benchmarks participating employers from all sectors as to their progress in LGBT equality. This annual audit celebrates the efforts of leading organisations, to create an inclusive workplace.
De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has been named one of the most inclusive employers in Britain by lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity Stonewall in its Top 100 Employers list for 2019. DMU rose 30 places to number 31 - it’s highest-ever position in the rankings.
We are committed to ensuring that we have a culture in which all of our people are valued regardless of sexual orientation. Working with Stonewall will significantly help us to work towards achieving this goal.
Access more information on our membership of the Stonewall Diversity Programme and further information on the DMU LGBTQ+ Allies Staff Network.
For more details please see the Stonewall website.
Working Families
In 2019, DMU joined a Working Families, which is the UK’s work-life balance charity. They help working parents, carers and their employers, find a better balance between responsibilities at home and in the workplace.
Working Families leads the way in helping organizations and employees build enabling and flexible environments that enhance productivity, creativity and wellbeing so that work works for everyone. We are in the early days of our membership and have completed a benchmark survey to help benchmark ourselves against other organisations, both sector based and outside the sector. Our membership of Working Families will also link in to charter marks such as Athens Swan and help suggest and achieve actions and objectives to support women in the workplace.
Staff Networks
At DMU, we have vibrant and active staff networks which focus and support staff from our diverse backgrounds. These groups provide: a forum for consultation and discussion; a great opportunity to network with colleagues from across the institution; personal and professional development, and help to inform the university on policy and procedure.
We currently have staff networks for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Staff, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer + (LGBTQ+) staff and allies, female staff (DMUWomen) and a Disabled staff network.
We also have Christian and Muslim chaplains at DMU, who provide spiritual support, advice and encouragement to staff and students of all faiths and none.
We encourage all staff to take an active part of a staff network.