Equal Opportunites Policy

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Equal Opportunities Policy for Parson Drove Village Hall

Parson Drove Village Hall Committee acknowledges that the United Kingdom is diverse in culture race beliefs and religion and believes that no individual or group of people should receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, colour, race, nationality, racial or national origins, cultural heritage, disability, marital status, social background, sexual orientation or geographical location. The Committee acknowledges that members of these groups are often under-represented, exposed to prejudice and stereotyping, and suffer various disadvantages with our society

The purpose of this Policy Statement is to set out clearly and fully the positive action that Parson Drove Village Hall Committee intends to take to combat direct and indirect discrimination in employment policy, management of the organisation, relationships with other bodies, and the services it provides to the community, community organisations and individuals.

Parson Drove Village Hall Committee is committed to providing equality of opportunity in all areas of its work. It aims to overcome discrimination on the grounds mentioned above. The Committee recognises that positive steps need to be taken to ensure equality of provision in areas of representation, service provision, membership and access and will act to make this policy effective.

The Aims of the Committee

Our aim is to ensure that we become aware of discrimination and the problem it causes.

• Parson Drove Village Hall Committee will challenge practices, legislation and institutions, which seek to discriminate against or deny the rights of individuals or groups in any form.

• Parson Drove Village Hall Committee will seek to take positive action to address the inequalities in our society.

• Parson Drove Village Hall Committee is committed to the equal opportunities policy set out in this document and will work to develop, improve and monitor it.

• Parson Drove Village Hall Committee will ensure all staff, hirers and committee members are aware of hall's policy on equal opportunities.

Legislation

The Committee acknowledges the definitions of various groups of people who are vulnerable to discrimination as set out in the relevant legislation. The Committee will support and implement the legislation and will work to ensure that no person protected by the legislation is discriminated against unlawfully, and that any positive obligations and duties are performed.

The Committee gives the following specific commitments:

• Disabled - The Committee recognises that the legislation applies to persons who are not apparently disabled or ill. Where reasonably practical, the Committee will aim to widen accessibility by removing barriers which make it difficult for people with disabilities to use the hall and provide facilities for people with disabilities to enable them to participate in activities e.g. the installation of an induction loop.

• Age - Parson DroveVillage Hall Committee believes that people of all ages have skills experiences and ideas, which are equally valid, and have valid needs, expectations and aspirations.

• Ethnic Minorities - The Committee will be alert to any implications of its services and actions for potential unlawful discrimination. The Committee will challenge racism in any form and will encourage its users to do the same.

• Gender and Sexual Orientation - Sexist policies, practices and attitudes (including policies, practices and attitudes which may relate to sexual orientation and gender re-assignment) will be challenged, and users will be encouraged to do the same.

• Religion and Belief - The Committee endorses the right of each individual to his or her own religious beliefs or the absence of a belief.

The Code of Conduct

• People will be treated with dignity and respect regardless of the group to which they belong.
• People's feelings and views will be valued and respected. Language or humour that people find offensive will not be used or tolerated, e.g. racist jokes or derogatory terminology.

• No one will be harassed abused or intimidated on the ground that they belong to a vulnerable group. Incidents of harassment will be taken seriously, and Parson Drove Village Hall Committee will undertake investigations of any complaints quickly, impartially and thoroughly.

• Parson Drove Village Hall Committee will review this equal opportunities policy annually