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Equal Opportunities Policy Statement
This policy statement has the support of the trade unions UNISON & T&GWU
1.1. Fareham Borough Council is an equal opportunity employer and bases its employment practices on the concept of equality of opportunity. Councillors and employees are committed to openness and fairness to all employees and members of the community, aiming to always ensure equality of treatment and access for all without unfair discrimination or prejudice. We are committed to developing a working culture that is fair and inclusive, enabling all employees to make their distinct contributions to the services we provide.
1.2. We oppose all forms of discrimination or unfair treatment on the grounds of gender, race or ethnic origin, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, HIV status or religion. No employee or job applicant will be disadvantaged by any condition or requirement which cannot be shown to be justifiable. All possible steps will be taken to ensure that individuals are treated equally and fairly and that all employment related decisions are based solely on objective and unbiased criteria. We will take all practical steps to facilitate the employment and continued employment of disabled people.
1.3. We require our managers to exercise leadership in this field by discouraging prejudice and by role-modelling appropriate behaviour. We will ensure that all managers and employees are aware of their individual responsibilities to promote open and fair treatment and to prevent disadvantage and discrimination. We will treat seriously all cases of discrimination, victimisation, harassment and bullying. Where necessary, disciplinary action will be taken which may include dismissal. We will regularly review our policies and practices to make sure that they are appropriate and operating effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Community Inclusion?‘Community inclusion’ is simply a short-hand way to describe something that Fareham Borough Council has been striving to achieve for many years. It means working to ensure that everyone - regardless of who they are or their individual circumstances - is able to find out about, use and have a say about the services they need. It also means building communities which support people and that people contribute to.
Why does Community Inclusion matter?
The Government and many other organisations often talk about “social exclusion” or “socially excluded groups”. Social exclusion arises where people are being treated unfairly because of real or imagined differences from the majority based on poverty and/or social factors such as: Social class Ethnicity Gender Sexuality Religion Disability Age
What is "Equality Impact Assessment"?
Impact assessment is a way of systematically assessing the effects that a proposed policy or service is likely to have on people from different customer groups including different ethnic groups. The assessment may also include monitoring the actual effects of the policy or service when it is put into practice and being alert to any concerns about the way it is (or is not) working. It will also require gathering data about the Council’s customers – using appropriate monitoring of services and the ‘channels’* via which customers access services and information about services, policies and plans - and on the make-up of the local population. The main purpose of impact assessment is to (a) ensure that existing services, policies and strategies are not discriminating against or disadvantaging any customer groups and (b) pre-empt the possibility that a proposed new or changed policy, service could affect some customer groups unfavourably. The 5-stage process works as follows: Stage 1: involves screening existing policies and services to see if they are relevant to race equality. (Subsequently, any new policies and services that are proposed will be automatically screened, as will any significant changes to existing policies and services.) Stage 2: involves prioritising the impact assessment – if one is needed. Stage 3: involves a detailed assessment of policies and services where discrimination or disadvantage is or may be taking place. Stage 4: involves identifying and planning improvements. Stage 5: involves first validating and then publishing the results of the process. * These include the website, Fareham Today, other publications, and the Customer Service Centre as well as visiting the Civic Offices.
What is the Key Legislation affecting Equality and Inclusion?
The Council is legally required to ensure its employees and customers are treated fairly and equally under the following Acts: Equal Pay Act 1970 (This seeks to ensure that all employees are paid the same for work of equal value.) Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (This prohibits job discrimination on the basis of gender.) Race Relations Act 1976 (This prohibits discrimination in delivery of services & employment on the basis of ethnicity.) and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (This gives a general duty to take a positive and systematic approach to eliminate racial discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and promote good race relations. It requires local authorities to draw up Race Equality Schemes for policy, service delivery & employment. Producing a Race Equality Scheme became a specific duty for local authorities in 2002.) Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (This prohibits discrimination in delivery of services & employment on the basis of disability and requires positive action on, for example, making public buildings accessible.) Human Rights Act 1998 (This confers a range of rights including, for example, the right to family life, which have implications for the way local authorities deliver services and manage their workforce.) The Employment Equality (religion or belief and sexual orientation) Regulations 2003 (These prohibit discrimination in recruitment and employment practices on the basis of religious or other beliefs – such as atheism – or sexual orientation.)
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Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Hampshire, PO16 7AZ
Tel: +44 (0)1329 236100 | Mobile Text/Photo: 07876 131415 | Fax: +44 (0)1329 821770
