Equal Opportunities Statement — FSS Professional Solutions

Overview

Our Commitment

FSS Professional Solutions Ltd is committed to promoting equal opportunities in everything we do. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are. This commitment applies equally to the candidates we represent, the clients we serve, and the people we employ.

As a specialist recruitment agency operating in fire protection, smoke control and electronic security — sectors built on professional competence and technical merit — we are committed to ensuring that hiring decisions are made on the basis of ability, experience and potential alone. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment or victimisation in any form.

Our position: Discrimination is not only unlawful — it is bad recruitment. Excluding candidates based on anything other than professional merit narrows the talent pool, reduces the quality of placements, and harms the industries we serve. FSS Professional Solutions is committed to expanding access to careers in fire and security, not restricting it.

Legal Framework

Protected Characteristics

Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of any of the following nine protected characteristics. FSS Professional Solutions will not discriminate against any candidate, client contact, or employee on the basis of any of these characteristics, whether directly, indirectly, by association or by perception.

Age Treating someone less favourably because of their age, whether they are young or old. We assess candidates on merit and capability, not age.

Disability A physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We make reasonable adjustments throughout our process.

Gender Reassignment The process of transitioning from one gender to another, whether or not the person has undergone medical treatment.

Marriage and Civil Partnership Being married or in a civil partnership. This protection applies in the context of employment.

Pregnancy and Maternity Being pregnant or having recently given birth. We will not treat a candidate's pregnancy or maternity status as a factor in any placement decision.

Race Including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins. We assess all candidates on professional merit regardless of their background or ethnicity.

Religion or Belief Any religion, religious or philosophical belief, or a lack of religion or belief.

Sex Whether a person is male or female. Fire protection, smoke control and security are sectors where we actively seek to support gender diversity.

Sexual Orientation Whether a person is heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual.

Candidates

Our Commitment to Candidates

Every candidate who engages with FSS Professional Solutions has the right to be treated with fairness, professionalism and respect throughout the recruitment process. We are committed to the following in all our dealings with candidates:

Merit-based assessment

We assess all candidates on the basis of their skills, experience, qualifications and professional potential. We do not take into account any protected characteristic when evaluating suitability for a role.

Transparent process

We will communicate clearly with all candidates about the roles we are recruiting for, the process involved, and the outcome of any application. Candidates will not be given different information or treatment based on a protected characteristic.

Reasonable adjustments

We will make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process for candidates with disabilities or other needs. This includes adapting interview formats, timings, or communication methods on request. Candidates are encouraged to tell us at the earliest opportunity if adjustments would help them.

Confidentiality

Personal information disclosed by candidates — including anything relating to a protected characteristic — will be kept confidential and used only for the purposes of supporting the candidate's job search. It will not be shared with clients without explicit consent and will never be used to disadvantage a candidate.

Refusing discriminatory instructions

FSS Professional Solutions will refuse any client instruction that would require us to discriminate unlawfully against candidates. If a client requests that we apply criteria that amount to unlawful discrimination, we will decline that instruction and, where appropriate, report it.

Salary and rate equity

We will not present candidates at different salary or rate levels based on protected characteristics. We will present candidates at market-appropriate rates based on their skills, experience and the requirements of the role.

Clients

Our Commitment to Clients

FSS Professional Solutions works in partnership with clients to build diverse, high-performing teams. We will always act in the best interests of clients by sourcing the most capable candidates available — and we believe that the most capable candidate pool is an inclusive one.

In our dealings with client organisations and their representatives, we commit to:

Treating all client contacts and representatives with equal respect and professionalism, regardless of any protected characteristic
Presenting candidate shortlists based solely on merit and alignment with the technical and cultural requirements of the role
Challenging client specifications that may, whether intentionally or otherwise, exclude candidates from protected groups without objective justification
Advising clients on inclusive hiring practices where relevant, drawing on our sector knowledge and experience
Refusing and reporting instructions that require unlawful discrimination

Internal Practice

Our Own Employment Practices

FSS Professional Solutions is committed to equal opportunities in all aspects of our own employment and recruitment practices. This commitment covers:

Recruitment and selection — all roles within FSS Professional Solutions are recruited on the basis of merit. Job descriptions, person specifications and selection criteria are designed to be free from unnecessary requirements that could exclude protected groups.
Terms and conditions — all employees and contractors are offered equal terms and conditions appropriate to their role, regardless of any protected characteristic.
Training and development — access to training, professional development and career progression opportunities is available to all employees on an equal basis.
Pay and benefits — we are committed to equal pay for equal work. Pay decisions are based on role, responsibility, experience and performance.
Flexible working — we will consider requests for flexible working arrangements fairly and consistently, recognising that flexibility supports employees across a range of protected characteristics including disability, religion and belief, and sex.
Dignity at work — we are committed to providing a working environment free from harassment, bullying and victimisation. All employees are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

Responsibilities

Client Responsibilities

Clients engaging FSS Professional Solutions should be aware that they carry their own legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and, where applicable, the Employment Agencies Act 1973. By instructing FSS Professional Solutions to recruit on their behalf, clients confirm that:

The role requirements provided to FSS are free from unlawful discriminatory criteria
All candidates introduced by FSS will be given fair and equal consideration on the basis of their professional suitability for the role
Selection decisions will be made on merit and will not be influenced by any protected characteristic
Any feedback provided to FSS on candidates will be based on professional grounds only
The client's own internal recruitment and selection processes comply with applicable equal opportunities legislation

Important: FSS Professional Solutions will not act on instructions from a client that require us to discriminate unlawfully. Under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the Equality Act 2010, acting on such instructions would expose both the agency and the client to legal liability. We will always discuss alternative approaches with clients before declining an instruction.

Monitoring

Monitoring & Review

FSS Professional Solutions is committed to monitoring the effectiveness of this Equal Opportunities Statement and reviewing it regularly. Our monitoring activities include:

Reviewing this statement annually and updating it to reflect any changes in law, best practice or company practice
Ensuring that all directors and staff are aware of this statement and their obligations under it
Maintaining records of any equal opportunities concerns raised and the outcomes of those concerns
Reviewing our recruitment processes periodically to identify and address any potential for inadvertent discrimination

As a growing business, we are committed to improving our equal opportunities practices over time. We welcome feedback from candidates, clients and employees on how we can do better.

Complaints

Raising a Concern

If you believe you have experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment or victimisation in connection with FSS Professional Solutions — whether as a candidate, client contact or third party — we want to hear from you. All concerns will be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and treated with confidentiality.

Email	info@fss-pro.com — please include "Equal Opportunities" in the subject line
Phone	0800 593 0113
Post	FSS Professional Solutions Ltd, Nightingale House, 46-48 East Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 1HQ
Response time	We will acknowledge all concerns within 2 working days and aim to provide a substantive response within 10 working days
Confidentiality	All concerns will be handled with discretion. We will not disclose the identity of a complainant without their consent unless we are required to do so by law

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may wish to contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) at equalityadvisoryservice.com or on 0808 800 0082, or the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) at equalityhumanrights.com.

Legislation

Legal Framework

This statement is informed by and consistent with the following legislation and guidance:

Legislation	Relevance to FSS Professional Solutions
Equality Act 2010	The primary legislation governing equal opportunities in Great Britain. Defines the nine protected characteristics and the prohibited types of conduct including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
Employment Agencies Act 1973	Regulates the conduct of employment agencies. Makes it unlawful for an agency to discriminate against a worker or refuse its services to an employer on grounds of sex, race or disability. Prohibits agencies from acting on discriminatory instructions from hirers.
Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003	Sets out the standards of conduct required of recruitment agencies, including obligations around the information provided to clients and candidates and the basis on which introductions are made.
UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018	Governs the collection, use and storage of personal data including special category data (such as data relating to protected characteristics). All candidate and client data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Human Rights Act 1998	Incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, including rights to private and family life (Article 8) and freedom from discrimination (Article 14).

Statement Details

About This Statement

Applies to	FSS Professional Solutions Ltd — all staff, directors, candidates and clients
Prepared by	FSS Professional Solutions Ltd
First published	April 2026
Last reviewed	April 2026
Next review due	April 2027, or sooner following any relevant change in law or practice
Responsibility	The directors of FSS Professional Solutions Ltd are jointly responsible for the implementation and review of this statement
Related policies	Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Terms of Business, Accessibility Statement
Contact	info@fss-pro.com \| 0800 593 0113

Note: This statement reflects the commitment of FSS Professional Solutions Ltd as of the date of publication. It will be updated as the business grows and as legislation and best practice evolve. All staff and directors are expected to act in accordance with the principles set out here at all times.