1. Purpose

1.1 Abbey Access Training is committed to promoting equality and diversity and promoting a culture that actively values difference and recognises that people from different backgrounds and experiences can bring valuable insights to the Centre and enhance the way we work. Abbey Access Training aims to be an inclusive organisation, where diversity is valued, respected and built upon, with ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves. Within this framework Abbey Access Training specifically refers to measures it has in place to provide equality of opportunity and the facilities that it can provide to its diverse workforce and job applicants.

1.2 Abbey Access Training is also committed to compliance with relevant equality legislation, the Equality Act 2010, Codes of Practice and relevant best practice guidance. This policy pursues and builds on the statutory position to ensure effective policies and practice of promoting equality.

1.3 Abbey Access Training aims to pro-actively tackle discrimination or disadvantage and aims to ensure that no individual or group is directly or indirectly discriminated against for any reason with regard to employment or accessing its services.

1.4 Abbey Access Training is also mindful of the provision in discrimination law for the rare circumstances when an organisation may need to justify discrimination rather than have a disproportionate effect. This could be, for instance, where there is a conflict with other legislation that Abbey Access Training has to comply with or between service needs. In such circumstances Abbey Access Training is committed to following the required proper assessment and objective justification of any decision in order to demonstrate that the provision, criterion or practice is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

1.5 Issues regarding harassment and bullying are covered in the Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Policy. For issues regarding recruitment refer also to the Recruitment policy.

 

2. The Definition of Equality and Diversity

2.1 Equality can be described as breaking down barriers, eliminating discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity and access for all groups both in employment, and to goods and services; the basis of which is supported and protected by legislation.

2.2 Diversity can be described as celebrating differences and valuing everyone. Each person is an individual with visible and non-visible differences and by respecting this everyone can feel valued for their contributions which is beneficial not only for the individual but for Abbey Access Training.

2.3 Equality and Diversity are not inter-changeable but inter-dependent. There can be no equality of opportunity if difference is not valued and harnessed and taken account of.

 

3. Scope

3.1 This policy applies to direct employees of the Abbey Access Training, workers (engaged through, or by, an employment agency and supplied to Abbey Access Training on a temporary basis), and all job applicants regarding recruitment, learners on our programmes and visitors to the Centre and Café.

3.2 Where Abbey Access Training's services are provided by external contractors or third parties on the basis of a specification set by Abbey Access Training, these contractors or third parties are responsible for adhering to Abbey Access Training’s Equality and Diversity Policy whilst providing services on behalf of Abbey Access Training.

3.3 This policy applies also to sub-contractors Abbey Access Training will monitor the performance of contractors and/or third parties and take all necessary steps to ensure good performance and compliance with appropriate behaviours. However, if any issues become apparent with regards to diversity or equality in relation to any contractor or third party, these will be taken very seriously by Abbey Access Training and raised in the strongest possible terms with the contractor or third party.

 

4. Policy statement

4.1 Abbey Access Training is committed to ensuring:

• that existing members of staff, job applicants, or workers are treated fairly in an environment which is free from any form of discrimination

• with regard to nine of the protected characteristics as outlined by the Equality Act 2010 which are:
  
  - age;
  - disability;
  - gender reassignment;
  - marriage and civil partnership;
  - pregnancy and maternity;
  - race (includes colour, nationality and ethnic origins);
  - religion and or belief;
  - sex;
  - sexual orientation;

 

In addition, existing members of staff, job applicants, or learners are treated fairly in an environment which is free from any form of discrimination with regard to: caring responsibilities, part-time employment, membership or non-membership of a trade union or spent convictions.

• all employment-related policies, practices and procedures are applied impartially and objectively;

• equality of opportunity to all and to provide staff with the opportunity to develop and realise their full potential;

• that Abbey Access Training works towards achieving a diverse workforce at all levels

• that employees of Abbey Access Training can work in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.

4.2 The Equality and Diversity policy provides a clear framework for translating our policy into action. It outlines the responsibilities of the Board, Centre Manager, and individuals to comply with the Equality Act 2010. Management and the Board are strongly committed to its full and active implementation.

4.3 Abbey Access Training will not tolerate processes, attitudes and behaviour that amounts to direct discrimination, associative discrimination, discrimination by perception indirect discrimination including harassment (harassment by a third party), victimisation and bullying through prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and stereotyping.
4.4 Abbey Access Training recognises the importance of monitoring, reviewing and reporting on its equality and diversity policy and practice and to measure progress in meeting our policy statement.

 

5. Practical support for a diverse workforce

5.1 As an employer committed to diversity and equality Abbey Access Training recognises its success depends on creating a working and learning environment which supports the diverse make-up of its staff and learners with supporting policies and procedures to create a framework of assistance.
5.2 Abbey Access Training also sets out the process for ensuring it takes account of equality considerations which affect its staff and try to minimise or remove disadvantage.

 

6. Work/life balance

6.1 Abbey Access Training is committed to employees who have commitments outside work, irrespective of whether they have caring responsibilities. Abbey Access Training are committed to helping its employees fulfil their potential at work whilst finding the right work/life balance by offering a Flexible Working Hours Scheme and opportunities to job share where appropriate.

6.2 Abbey Access Training aims to improve the working lives of its employees by Flexible Working, Special Leave to help with caring responsibilities and domestic emergencies and Career Breaks.

6.3 Abbey Access Training is committed to supporting employees with family commitments such as offering a family-friendly initiatives as a flexible way to meet childcare costs.

 

7. Centre Policies

7.1 All Centre policies are designed to promote equal opportunity and protection against discrimination for all employees.

 

8. Review and monitoring

8.1 Abbey Access Training undertakes monitoring that not only meets statutory requirements but also aims for best practice. This is used to inform and improve our learner recruitment and employment practices. If through monitoring any discrimination is identified Abbey Access Training will take corrective action to eliminate it.

8.2 The monitoring of Abbey Access Training’s learner and workforce recruitment is produced and is discussed at team and trustee meetings.

8.3 Such monitoring will be carried out using appropriate statistical analysis, and would deal with areas such as race, disability, gender, and age and ensure compliance with legislation. Any resultant statistics and analysis will be kept by the Centre Manager.

8.4 In addition, the Learner Steering Group is conducted regularly in order to gain the views of all learners and includes a section on diversity and the learning environment. Abbey Access Training will use the information from the Steering group to measure its record on meeting our equality and diversity policy aims.

8.5 Abbey Access Training will publish its progress and achievements on equality / diversity in the Learner Steering group meeting notes and the SAR.

8.6 Abbey Access Training may also be required to report the progress on equality and human rights to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

 

9. Training

9.1 Abbey Access Training is committed to ensuring its staff and managers are trained in equality and diversity and aims to ensure that adequate training is provided so that managers are able to operate this policy.  Examples include specific training on race, gender, gender identity, disability, sexuality, age and religion or belief, in accordance with the requirements of the law and good practice.

9.2 Diversity and equality forms an integral part of Abbey Access Training’s induction package. Managers are to ensure that all new employees and learners are made aware of our Equality and Diversity Policy and Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination policy.

 

10. Communication

10.1 The Equality and Diversity policy is available on the internal drive of the Centre and is displayed for learners and the public to view on the Equality and Diversity Notice board.

10.2 The details of this policy will be proactively communicated and promoted to all current staff, new starters and learners through the Staff and Learner Handbooks.

 

 

11. Discrimination (see Appendix 1 - Glossary)

11.1 Discrimination may take seven main forms and is defined in law along with the protective characteristics associated with each provision as listed below:

• Direct Discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic. Relevant protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. For example, a manager does not select a pregnant woman for promotion even though they meet all of the competencies because they are pregnant. This is probably direct discrimination and cannot be justified.

• Associative discrimination occurs when someone discriminates against someone because they associate with another person who possesses a protected characteristic. Relevant protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. An example of this is when a manager does not give a job-applicant the role, even though they have met all of the competencies for the role, just because the applicant tells the employer they have a disabled partner. This is probably associative discrimination because of disability by association.

• Discrimination by perception occurs when someone discriminates against an individual because they think they possess a particular protected characteristic. It applies even if the person does not actually possess that characteristic. Relevant protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. An example of this is when a manager selects a person for redundancy because they incorrectly think they have a progressive condition (i.e. that they are a disabled person). This is probably discrimination by perception because they believe the individual is disabled.

• Indirect discrimination occurs when a seemingly neutral provision, criterion or practice that applies to everyone places a group who share a characteristic e.g. type of disability at a particular disadvantage. Indirect discrimination may be justified if it can be shown that the provision, criterion or practice is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. An example of this is when an employer decides to apply a “no hats or headgear” rule to staff. If this rule is applied in exactly the same way to every member of staff, then staff who may cover their heads as part of their religion or cultural background (such as Sikhs, Jews, Muslims and Rastafarians) will not be able to meet this requirement of the dress code and may face disciplinary action as a result. Unless the employer can objectively justify using the rule, this will be indirect discrimination. Relevant protected characteristic includes age, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. In addition, the Act extends protection against unjustified indirect discrimination to gender reassignment and disability.

• Dual Discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favourably because of a combination of two relevant protected characteristics. This means that it will be possible for an applicant to claim that they have been treated less favourably not just because of their race but also because of their gender. For example, because the individual is an Asian woman. Relevant protected characteristic include age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. (At present this new concept has not been implemented).

• Detriment arising from a disability arises when you treat a disabled person unfavourably because of something connected with their disability. This type of discrimination is unlawful where the employer or other person acting for the employer knows, or could reasonably expected to know, that the person had a disability. This type of discrimination is only lawful if the action can be justified and the employer can show that is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. An example of this when an employer imposes a “no beards” rule as a part of a dress code and tells staff they will be disciplined if they do not comply. The employee is a disabled person who has a skin condition which makes shaving very painful. They have been treated unfavourably (threat of disciplinary action) because of something arising from their disability (their inability to shave). Unless the employer can objectively justify the requirement, this may be a detriment arising from a disability. It may also be a failure to make a reasonable adjustment.

• Victimisation occurs when an employer is treated unfavourably, disadvantaged or subjected to a detriment because they have made or supported a complaint of discrimination or raised a grievance under the Equality Act, this policy or the Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination policy or because they are suspected of doing so. (However, an employee is not protected from victimisation if they have maliciously made or supported an untrue complaint). An example, of this is when an employee requests to work flexibly and their manager refuses their request because they supported a colleague in a complaint of discrimination.

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12. Complaints of Discrimination

12.1 Abbey Access Training takes all claims of discrimination very seriously and will take appropriate action against those concerned. Discrimination occurs when someone directly or indirectly treats a person or a group of people unfavourably because of a protected characteristic of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. This covers all behaviour including remarks and insinuation, both verbal and non-verbal, which cause offence.

12.2 Any member of staff or learner who is subject to harassment, bullying or discrimination is encouraged to refer to Abbey Access Training's policy on Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination. This provides details of the steps that can be taken to deal with such an issue. In addition, staff and learners are reminded that they can obtain external, confidential help if they so wish by contacting the Centre Manager or the Board of Trustees

12.3 If a learner or staff member considers they have been discriminated against they should raise their complaint directly with the Centre Manager in the first instance. Complaints of Discrimination will be dealt with immediately and no later than the working day after the event has occurred. All incidents will be recorded in line with the reporting of incidents reporting procedure.

 

13. People Strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility

13.1 Abbey Access Training aims to be an employer of choice and aims to ensure its workforce are able to make a valuable contribution to the work of Abbey Access Training whilst ensuring we support our learner’s health and well-being.

13.2 The Centre’s strategy is to have a positive impact within the local community. One of Abbey Access Training’s aims is to improve the quality of life for our workforce, families, learners and the local community

13.3 Where appropriate, Abbey Access Training actively encourages its employees to participate in local voluntary initiatives and may provide further support to initiatives, which encourage social inclusion in Abbey Access Training's local communities. This may involve, for example, participation in local events, acting as mentors and volunteering opportunities.

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14. Responsibility

14.1 All staff have a responsibility to guard against any form of discrimination and avoid any action which goes against the spirit of this policy. Thus, staff at all levels must ensure that there is no discrimination in any of their decisions or behaviour. This includes the provision that all staff must:

• report any suspected discriminatory acts or practices;

• not induce or attempt to induce others to practice unlawful discrimination;

• co-operate with any measures introduced to ensure equality of opportunity;

• not victimise anyone as a result of them having complained about, reported or provided evidence of discrimination;

• not harass, abuse or intimidate others.

 

14.2 Whilst all staff have a collective responsibility to ensure this policy is successfully implemented, there are also specific responsibilities within this.

 

The Board are responsible for:

• Providing leadership on the equality and diversity strategy and policy, acting as overall champions to ensure the policy is implemented;

• Communicating the strategy and policy, internally and externally;

• Strategic engagement with and accountable to the public.

 

The Centre Manager is responsible for:

• Implementing the policy as part of their day-to day management of staff and in applying employment policies and practices in a fair and equitable way

• Ensuring equality and diversity issues are addressed in performance.

• Ensuring all staff act in accordance with the equality and diversity policy providing necessary support and direction;

• Effectively manage and deal promptly when investigating issues relating to potential discrimination, including those matters concerning learners and members of the general public

• Ensuring all policy or service decisions that will change provisions, practices or policies and affect the workforce or learners are implemented.

• Developing employment policy and strategy on equality and diversity;

• Providing guidance to line managers and staff;

• Supporting managers in investigating issues relating to potential discrimination, including those matters concerning members of the general public who visit the

• Monitoring employment policies and practices;

• Championing the issues, internally and externally;

• Facilitating training and development initiatives on equality and diversity, both at corporate and directorate level.

 

Each employee is responsible for:

• Implementing the policy in their day-to-day work and their dealings with colleagues, learners and visitors;

• Ensuring their behaviour is appropriate to the policy and that they treat people with respect and dignity;

• Not discriminating against other employees or learners

• Notifying their line manager of any concerns with regard to the conduct of other employees, learners, the public or third parties.

14.3 Non- Compliance with Policy – The Centre will not tolerate any behaviour from staff or learners which breaches our equality and diversity policy. Any such breaches will be regarded as misconduct except for serious offences such as discrimination on protected grounds; serious offences including harassment, bullying, or victimisation will be treated as gross misconduct and may lead to disciplinary action including dismissal from employment without notice.

 

15. Policy Responsibility

15.1 The Centre Manager has the responsibility for ensuring the maintenance, regular review and updating of this policy. Proposed changes to the policy will follow the internal policy changes.