Equality and Diversity Policy
1)The Equality Act 2010 offers protection from numerous types of discrimination,
harassment and victimisation on the grounds of a range of people’s characteristics.
These ‘protected characteristics’ are:
- age
- disability
- race
- gender including gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity
- sexual orientation
- religion and belief, or lack of religion or belief
- marriage and civil partnership
1a) The Act also offers protection on the grounds of discrimination by association. This provision relates to people who do not necessarily have a protected characteristic
themselves, but who may face discrimination because they are associated with individuals who do have protected characteristics, for example a carer of a disabled person.
1b) Marbury Village Hall has an all-inclusive policy demonstrating that we are paying attention to ensure we:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
1c) Having due regard involves:
- Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics.
- Taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.
- Encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.
1d) This policy applies to all volunteers at Marbury Village Hall.
1e) All volunteers have a duty to act in accordance with this policy and therefore to treat colleagues with dignity at all times, and not to discriminate against, or harass, other workers, whether junior or senior to them. In some situations, Marbury Village Hall may be at risk of being held responsible for the acts of individual volunteers and we will not therefore tolerate any discriminatory practices or behaviour. This applies equally to the treatment of service users by volunteers.
1f) All workers including volunteers are responsible for the success of this policy and must ensure that they familiarise themselves with the policy and act in accordance with its aims and objectives.
2) Marbury Village Hall Policy
Marbury Village Hall recognises, respects and values equal opportunity and diversity. We will endeavour to meet the needs and
expectations of all service users. We will embrace the diversity of community and society we serve and value the contribution made by people of all sectors of society.
2a) We will apply Marbury Village Hall’s principles of non-discrimination, equality of opportunity and diversity to members of our community, volunteers and service users.
2b) We will ensure that all strategies, plans, policies and best practice guidelines promote equal opportunities and diversity amongst service users, volunteers and our community. To do this we will consult with those who have particular knowledge or experience of equality and diversity issues.
2c) We will maintain appropriate equality and diversity records about service users and workers to inform service and organisational development.
2d) We will share our commitment to valuing the diversity of society with others with whom we work, or from whom we purchase goods and services.
3 Implementation
3a) We will seek to avoid discrimination against service users abilities to access services, including providing services, within our resources, to service users who cannot pay the full cost.
3b) As an organisation we will provide real equality of engagement of all our volunteers and will ensure that no prospective or existing volunteer is treated less favourably than another or is unlawfully discriminated against.
3c) We will actively seek ways to increase the diversity of trustees and other voluntary workers particularly focusing on those sections of the Cheshire East communities which are under-represented.
3d) We will work to develop all our volunteers to their maximum potential and make best use of their different talents.
3e) We will not tolerate abuse, harassment or victimisation of volunteers and other employees and will invoke the Disciplinary procedures, where appropriate, to address such discriminatory practices.
3f) If an individual is disabled or becomes disabled in the course of volunteering at Marbury Village Hall the coordinator will discuss with the individual what additional needs they may have in order to support the individual as much as possible and to consider what, if any, reasonable adjustments can be made to his or her voluntary role.
3g) In accordance with the provisions of Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995 our organisation will monitor the physical features of our premises to consider whether they place disabled workers, volunteers or service users, at a substantial disadvantage compared to other workers and volunteers. Where possible and proportionate, we will make reasonable adjustments to improve inclusivity and access to all
3h) If a volunteer or service user believes that they may have been discriminated against, the Organisation’s Complaints procedure will be followed.
3j) If a volunteer believes that they may have been disadvantaged, he or she is encouraged to raise the matter with the coordinator. The Disciplinary and Grievance procedures will then be followed. Allegations regarding potential breaches of this policy will be treated in confidence and investigated in accordance with the relevant procedure. Volunteers who make such allegations in good faith will not be victimised or treated less favourably as a result. However, false allegations of a breach of this policy which are found to have been made in bad faith will be dealt with under the Disciplinary procedure.
3k) If, after investigation, a volunteer is found to have discriminated against, or harassed, any other worker/volunteer he or she will be subject to disciplinary action. In serious cases, such behaviour may constitute gross misconduct and, as such, may result in dismissal and volunteer agreement ended indefinitely for the organisation.