Equal Opportunities Policy

1.0 Statement of Intent

1.1 Beatbullying is committed to ensuring that Equal Opportunities is central to the provision of its services, employment practices and in the formulation and implementation of policy and practice.

1.2 Beatbullying will implement policies and procedures which promote equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination.

1.3 Beatbullying seek to comply fully with the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (as amended), The Disabled Person Act 1994 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1996 and the up-date on provision 2000 and the various Codes Of Practice dealing with the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunities.

2.0 Objectives

2.1 Employment

Beatbullying recognises that staff are their major asset and will strive to ensure that every job applicant or employee is treated fairly in all employment matters regardless of their race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital status, disability, age, sexuality or religious beliefs. In addition, any condition or requirement will be removed which cannot be justified and which places a potential applicant or member of staff at a disadvantage or has adverse effects on members of a particular group. This policy applies to all employment matters including recruitment, training, grievance and disciplinary procedures, the application of employee benefits and in all terms and conditions of employment.

2.2 Race Equality

Beatbullying aims to ensure equality of opportunity in all employment matters to encourage applications from black and Asian and other minority ethnic groups.
Beatbullying would like to achieve the goal of employing a staff team that accurately reflects our multi-cultural society.

2.3 Sex Discrimination

Beatbullying will ensure that the environment in the office and meeting rooms are welcoming to children and adults from all backgrounds and that practical measures to facilitate this are put into place as appropriate to individual need.

2.4 Sexuality

Beatbullying believes that individuals should not be discriminated against on the grounds of their sexuality, perceived sexuality or otherwise. Beatbullying will always endeavour and strive towards creating an environment that is safe and inclusive, where staff and clients are not discriminated against on grounds of sexuality, and feel safe to disclose their sexuality if they wish to do so.

2.5 Disability

Beatbullying will always promote a positive, inclusive and respectful attitude within the staff team and with clients, and a safe and considerate working environment for people with disabilities whether guests or employee’s. Beatbullying will as a matter of course, seek to ensure that all meeting and general work areas are accessible for all clients and staff.

2.6 Service Provision

Beatbullying will ensure that our services meet the needs of all sections of the community, and we will conduct surveys and monitor and evaluate service provision to ensure that our services are appropriate to all.

2.7 Employment

Beatbullying will ensure that all posts are advertised widely using all appropriate minority publications.

Beatbullying will ensure that all job requirements/descriptions are detailed and inclusive in order to satisfactorily meet the duties and responsibilities of the post, and not discriminate against a particular group.

Beatbullying will ensure that it conducts Equal Opportunity Policy monitoring to enable assessment of the performance of the Charity’s policies.

3.0 Employees/Directors and Management Committee Members

All staff, Directors and Management Committee members have a responsibility to co-operate with and adopt the requirements of this policy, and any act of intentional discrimination against this policy by staff will be regarded as a disciplinary offence. Management Committee members will be dealt with under the Articles of Association. Staff and Management Committee members will also participate in training sessions designed to further their understanding of equal opportunities issues.

4.0 Clients

All clients and service users must co-operate with the requirements of this policy, and any act of racial or cultural harassment, or intentional breach of the policy could result in a client being asked to leave the premises.

5.0 Communication

All staff, Management Committee Members and volunteers will have this policy communicated to them via the induction process. A copy of the policy will be given to all. All external organisations, contractors and voluntary organisations working for or on behalf of Beatbullying will be informed of this policy and will be given a copy for their use.

6.0 Implementation

Beatbullying will ensure that this policy is implemented as fully as possible through a variety of monitoring mechanisms. In particular, priority will be given to the equal opportunities aspects of employment, recruitment and selection procedures, advertising, disciplinary rules, monitoring of existing staff, Directors and Management Committee team and clients and service users. All visitors to the Charity and members of the public who use our services or facilities are expected to comply with the principles of this policy

The effectiveness of policy, procedures and practices will be kept under review by the Beatbullying Senior Management Team. Further measures to eliminate discrimination and provide equality of opportunity will be introduced as required. The Data Protection Act will be strictly applied.