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Equal Opportunities Policy

This policy applies to all staff, directors, contractors, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of The Together Project.

The purpose of this policy is:

  • to develop and promote a culture of diversity and equality throughout the organisation

  • to develop and promote a culture of fairness, integrity and dignity

  • to support all staff, directors, contractors and volunteers, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, parental status, religion or belief

  • to prevent all forms of unlawful discrimination

  • to deal with all forms of discrimination consistently, promptly and effectively

  • to ensure that this policy influences and informs the culture of The Together Project

This policy should be read alongside our policies and procedures on:

  • recruitment, training and support

  • risk management

  • code of conduct

  • complaints and allegations

  • safeguarding

This Policy is underpinned by legislation which includes:

  • Human Rights Act 1998

  • The Civil Partnership Act 2004

  • The Gender Recognition Act 2004

  • The Equality Act 2006

  • Equality Act 2010

Our principles

  • The Together Project strives to be a fully-inclusive organisation that is welcoming and fair to all. We recognise that if direct or indirect discrimination occurs within the organisation it is both morally and legally unacceptable.

  • We are committed to taking all allegations of discrimination seriously and addressing any shortcomings as quickly and fully as possible.

Our practice

  • The Together Project will treat all staff, directors, contractors and volunteers fairly. This includes promoting good relationships between different groups and ensuring equality of opportunity.

  • We will investigate all matters of alleged discrimination, harassment and inappropriate behaviour promptly and thoroughly as per the procedures in our Complaints and Allegations policy.

  • We will ensure that selection and appointment procedures, performance management processes, staff/volunteer/contractor development opportunities and disciplinary and grievance processes are fairly and consistently applied to all staff.

  • We will ensure that places of work, meeting venues and event and activity locations are fully accessible to all those who are attending.

  • We will treat all applications for flexible working patterns on a fair and equitable basis and will provide reasonable and objective reasons when such requests must be refused.

  • We will ensure that diversity and equality issues are considered as part of The Together Project’s planning processes.

  • Staff, directors and volunteers are expected to treat everyone working at The Together Project and all our service users with fairness and respect.

  • At all times people’s feelings will be valued and respected. Language or humour that people find offensive will not be used, e.g. sexist or racist jokes or terminology which is derogatory to someone with a disability.

Concerns or complaints

We take any breach of this policy extremely seriously. Concerns or complaints should be raised as soon as possible following the procedures in our Complaints and Allegations policy.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. This policy was last reviewed on 9th September 2019 by Louise Goulden.