Positive action

If an organisation can show it is under-represented within particular groups, under the Equality Act 2010 it can carry out what is known as 'positive action' to encourage applications from people in those groups.

Positive Action is NOT Positive Discrimination. Positive Discrimination is unlawful in the UK and gives candidates an unfair advantage in the recruitment process. For example, an employer appointing a person because they have a relevant protected characteristic rather than because they are the best candidate would be committing discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.

We can and will target our communications to underrepresented groups to encourage them to apply for employment. In our case women are significantly under represented among our firefighters as are people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) groups.

We can also run Taster Days to encourage underrepresented groups to have a go at key firefighting skills, as well as supporting skills in completing application forms and developing interview techniques.

When any recruitment process opens, all candidates, including those who have been involved in positive action events and activity, must apply for roles at the same time and be considered with all other applicants.

Our recruitment will always be open to everyone – and all who apply will have to go through the same selection processes and reach the same standards.

All Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service staff are, and always will be, the very best candidates available, and are appointed absolutely and solely on merit.