Equality & Diversity Policy
1. Our Aim
In carrying out its functions, annewalker.com is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, and to ensuring that no individual is discriminated against in the planning and delivery of any of our activities.
We therefore aim to ensure that the values of equality, diversity, and respect for all are embedded into everything that we do.
2. About our Policy
This policy is intended to demonstrate Annewalker.com’s commitment to eliminating discrimination and encouraging and valuing diversity among staff, volunteers, partners, suppliers and users of our services.
We recognise our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, and are committed to meeting them in full. We believe that a culture that embraces equality and values diversity will help us to ensure that everyone feels involved and included in our plans, programmes and activities.
We aim to create an environment which respects and welcomes everyone, and in which no form of bullying, harassment, disrespectful or discriminatory behaviour is tolerated by anyone towards anyone. This particularly applies in relation to the ‘protected characteristics’ named in the Equality Act 2010: Age, disability, gender reassignment, income, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
3. Our Responsibilities
Annewalker.com understands that for equality to be achieved this policy needs to be made understandable to, and embraced by staff, volunteers, partners, suppliers and users of our services.
All staff, volunteers, suppliers, partners and users of our service have a responsibility to ensure that their own language and actions are consistent with the spirit as well as the contents of this policy.
Overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy lies with Anne Walker MBE.
4. Our Commitments
Annewalker.com recognises that an Equality and Diversity Policy alone is not enough to ensure that equality and diversity are central to everything that we do.
We will seek to create an environment in which diversity and the contributions of all staff, volunteers, partners, suppliers and users of our services are recognised and valued in all that we do. In this way we hope to provide an example of good equality practice.
In introducing this policy we recognise that many people are unfamiliar with the ways in which discrimination and disadvantage affect people’s health, well-being and quality of life. We will therefore support people to develop equalities awareness and understanding.
To ensure that we are meeting the aims and the spirit of this policy we will:
- Discuss and review how well we are implementing this policy, and (adjust our practices/develop an action plan) where necessary
- assess any significant new or revised policies and procedures for their impact on equality
- Embed equality and diversity into our development plans
- Ensure our employment practices and procedures are consistent with the aims of this policy.
5. Working with Contractors, Suppliers and Partners
It is important to us that suppliers, contractors and any other individual or organisation working on behalf of annewalker.com are aware of and agree to comply with our equality and diversity policy while that work is underway. In addition we are committed to:
using accessible venues for events and meetings;
using plain English, and offering accessible communications, for example, emails, letters, reports and publicity materials as far as it is within our means to do so.
6. Review and Action
6.1 We recognise that it is important for us to regularly review this policy to ensure that it reflects up to date equality legislation and best practice.
6.2 A review of our Equality and Diversity Policy will be carried out on an annual basis as a minimum and any necessary actions taken.