Policies & Proceedures

Equality Policy

Overview

VIP is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and clients, eliminating unlawful discrimination.

The aim is for our Company to be truly representative of all sections of society and for ALL to feel respected and able to give their best.

The Company – in providing goods and/or services and/or facilities – is also committed against unlawful discrimination of customers or the public.

Purpose of this policy

The policy’s purpose is to:

  • provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment, whether temporary, part-time or full-time 
  • not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex (gender) and sexual orientation
  • oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination. This includes in pay and benefits, terms and conditions of employment, dealing with grievances and discipline, dismissal, redundancy, leave for parents, requests for flexible working, and selection for employment, promotion, training or other developmental opportunities

VIP Education commits to:

  • encourage equality and diversity in the workplace as they are good practice and make business sense
  • create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued
  • training employees about their rights and responsibilities under the equality policy. Responsibilities include staff conducting themselves to help the Company provide equal opportunities and prevent bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination

VIP staff commit to:

All staff should understand they, as well as their employer, can be held liable for acts of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, in the course of their employment, against fellow employees, customers, suppliers and the public.

  • Take seriously, complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination by fellow employees, customers, suppliers, visitors, the public and any others in the course of the company’s work activities.
  • Such acts will be dealt with by the Company’s Director or DSL.
  • Further, sexual harassment may amount to both an employment rights matter and a criminal matter, such as in sexual assault allegations. In addition, harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – which is not limited to circumstances where harassment relates to a protected characteristic – is a criminal offence
  • decisions concerning staff being based on merit (apart from in any necessary and limited exemptions and exceptions allowed under the Equality Act)
  • review employment practices and procedures when necessary to ensure fairness, and update them and the policy to take account of changes in the law
  • monitor the make-up of the workforce regarding information such as age, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and disability in encouraging equality and diversity, and in meeting the aims and commitments set out in the equality policy

Monitoring will also include assessing how the equality policy, and any sporting actions, are working in practice, reviewing them annually, and considering and taking action to address any issues

Further Information

NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000

CPSU (Child Protection in Sport Unit)
www.thecpsu.org.uk

ChildLine
0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

Kidscape
www.kidscape.org.uk

Anti-Bullying Alliance
www.antibullyingalliance.org

This policy should be reviewed and updated annually

This policy was last reviewed
September 2021

Date of next review
April 2022

Reviewed by
Matthew Hogg

Contact information
07710 392386

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