Equality policy

1 Definitions

In this document, ‘we’ or ‘our’ refers to Macclesfield Wheelers and ‘member’, refers to a member of Macclesfield Wheelers.

 2 Introduction

We are fully committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and to promoting these actively. ‘Promoting these actively’ implies that we are seeking to move from simply complying with legislation and good practice towards embracing diversity.

 We are responsible for ensuring that no member, volunteer, guest rider or competitor receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of a protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act 2010, including as these may be updated in the future, but presently:

  • age

  • disability

  • gender reassignment

  • marriage and civil partnership

  • pregnancy and maternity

  • race

  • religion or belief

  • sex

  • sexual orientation.

We will ensure that there will be open access to all those who wish to participate in our activities and that we treat them fairly.

3 Purpose

We will ensure that we do not deny any sections of the community the opportunity to participate in our activities.

We will take steps to prevent discrimination or other unfair treatment of members, volunteers, guest riders and competitors, whether intentional or unintentional, direct or indirect.

4 Review

We will review this document in line with legislative changes and as a minimum every two years.

5 Legal requirements

We are required by law not to discriminate against members, volunteers, guest riders and competitors or in organising activities and we recognise our legal obligations under current, relevant acts and related obligations.

6 Discrimination / Harassment / Bullying / Victimisation

We are committed to ensuring that our members, volunteers, guest riders and competitors are able to conduct their activities in an environment that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying.

 We regard discrimination, harassment or bullying, as we describe it below, as gross misconduct.

6.1 Direct discrimination

This occurs by treating a person worse than someone else because of a protected characteristic. In the case of pregnancy and maternity this can occur if they have the protected characteristic without needing to compare treatment to someone else. Additionally, direct discrimination can occur because someone is thought to have a protected characteristic or because they associate with someone who has a protected characteristic.

6.2 Indirect discrimination

This occurs by putting a rule or way of doing things that has a worse impact on someone with a protected characteristic than someone without one, when this cannot be objectively justified.

6.3 Discrimination arising from disability

This occurs by treating a disabled person unfavourably because of something connected with their disability when this cannot be justified

6.4 Failing to make reasonable adjustment

This occurs by failing to make reasonable adjustment for disabled people that cannot be justified.

6.5 Harassment

This means unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating someone’s dignity or that is hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive to someone with a protected characteristic or in a way that is sexual in nature.

6.6 Bullying

This is a form of personal harassment. It is the misuse of power or position to criticise or humiliate and undermine an individual’s confidence persistently.

6.7 Victimisation

This means treating someone less favourably because they have taken (or might be taking) action under the Equality Act or supporting someone who is doing so.

7 Implementation

We will publish this document on our website. All members and volunteers have responsibilities to respect, act in accordance with, and support and promote the spirit and intentions of, this policy.

We will take measures to ensure that our membership recruitment practices do not discriminate.

We will seek to identify and remove barriers that discriminate against particular groups.

8 Positive action

We may take positive action in respect of any group that is under-represented in membership, or in our activities, that share a protected characteristic and suffer a disadvantage connected to the characteristic. Additionally , we may take positive action in the way we organise activities for people who share a protected characteristic.

9 Monitoring and evaluation

We will regularly monitor and evaluate this policy, its practices, procedures and operations.

The committee has overall responsibility for:

  • implementing this policy

  • ensuring that it is followed, and

  • providing appropriate investigation and disciplinary procedures in respect of any alleged breach of the policy and any related codes of practice that we may issue.

10 Disciplinary and grievance procedures

To safeguard individual rights under the policy a member, volunteer, guest rider or competitor who believes that they have suffered inequitable treatment within the scope of the policy should raise the matter with the current Welfare Officer or Committee Chair.

 We may take appropriate disciplinary action against any member or volunteer who contravenes this policy.

 We are committed to ensuring that individuals feel able to raise any grievance. We will not penalise any member, volunteer, guest rider or competitor for doing so unless the allegation is untrue and not made in good faith.

 

Issued: November 2019

Any questions? Just contact chris.c@macclesfieldwheelers.org.uk.