Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure equal opportunities for all volunteers and participants, irrespective of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital or civil partner status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, religion or belief (the “protected characteristics”). We value diversity and the individuality and creativity that every volunteer and participant potentially brings.
Application of the Policy
This policy applies to all the volunteers and participants with Banbury Community Action Group.
If this policy of Equal Opportunities is not applied, valuable talent and potential may be wasted. Discrimination, harassment, and victimisation are not only illegal, but also affect morale and project success generally, and can bring about a climate of fear and insecurity.
Banbury Community Action Group takes Equal Opportunities very seriously and will not tolerate acts which breach this policy. It is your responsibility to ensure your conduct conforms with the expected standards and reflects this policy.
Operating Principles
- Volunteers and participants will be treated fairly, openly and honestly, and with dignity and respect.
- At all times people’s feelings will be valued and respected. Language or humour that people find offensive will not be used.
- No volunteer or participant will receive less favourable treatment on grounds of any protected characteristic.
- Training opportunities will be available to all volunteers and participants.
- Equality of opportunity is about good volunteer practice. Steps will be taken to make sure all practices ensure equal opportunities.
- Everyone has the right to volunteer in an environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment. We will not tolerate such behaviour under any circumstances.
- We will circulate our equal opportunities policy to all volunteers and participants.
- We welcome any suggestions which will assist Banbury Community Action Group to be more inclusive in their activities, and undertake to consider such suggestions seriously and respond to them.
Breaches of the Policy
- Any volunteer or participant who feels that they have been subjected to a breach of this policy, should as a priority raise their concerns with a member of the Banbury Community Action Group committee.
- Whilst recognising that there will be circumstances in which it may not be possible or appropriate to reach an amicable solution (a particularly serious breach of the policy, for example), we would hope in most cases to be able to find a resolution. In the first instance, any volunteer or participant who is found to have committed acts of discrimination or harassment following an investigation by the committee, will be expected to resolve the matter with an acceptable apology and undertaking that the offence will not be repeated.
- If the matter cannot be resolved to the committee’s satisfaction, then the volunteer or participant will be required to leave and not participate in any further group activities.
- If you feel that the Policy has not been applied in your case, you may discuss the matter with the Banbury Community Action Group Committee. You are entitled to raise a formal complaint at any time.
- Allegations regarding potential breaches of this policy will as far as possible be treated in confidence and investigated. Volunteers or participants who make such allegations in good faith will not be victimised or treated less favourably as a result.
Updated: 02.10.18