Policies and Procedures

Equal Opportunities Policy

South Hykeham Council Equal Opportunities Policy

 

Adopted at the Parish Council meeting of ……………………………….

 

Policy Statement

 

South Hykeham Parish Council recognises that everyone has a contribution to make to our society and a right to equal treatment. The Council aims to ensure that no job applicant, member, organisation or individual to whom we provide services, will be discriminated against by us on any unfair grounds whatsoever. The purpose of this policy is to provide equal opportunities to all, irrespective of their gender, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, nationality, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, marital status or social class. All forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination are opposed.

The Council aims to foster awareness of prejudices in all who work for and with the Parish Council, and aims to encourage the removal of such prejudices.

The Council aims to ensure that members, and staff working with individuals and with organisations for which the Parish Council has dealings with or provides services for do not suffer discrimination, and where this occurs, the Parish Council commits itself to taking positive action against such discrimination.

South Hykeham Parish Council is committed to:

  • addressing positively opportunities for full participation within the Council.
  • adopting an effective system to monitor its practice with regard to ensuring equality of opportunity
  • promoting good practice with regard to equality of opportunity for organisations and

 

individuals involved in the work of the Parish Council

In particular the Parish Council will:

  • work to ensure that all its services are provided in a way which promotes awareness of the rights and needs of people from minority groups and enables all people to have access to those services
  • work to ensure that all Parish Council terms and conditions of employment reflect a range of needs and interests which encompass people who may otherwise be disadvantaged.

 

The policy of South Hykeham Parish Council is to ensure that no person receives less favourable consideration than others in the selection and appointment of staff.

 

Recruitment and promotion practices

 

South Hykeham Parish Council will ensure equality opportunity for all job applicants, it will ensure that:

  • application forms are continually reviewed to ensure structure and content are not open to discrimination
  • when recruiting, the Parish Council will develop personnel specifications which recognises the importance only of relevant experience or qualifications
  • acceptance of the Parish Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy is a condition of employment.

 

Service provision

 

South Hykeham Parish Council will take positive action to ensure its services to, and contact with, other groups and individuals reflect this Equal Opportunities Policy. This will be effected by:

  • consulting with groups and individuals with special requirements to identify how the Parish Council services may be improved to meet their needs
  • ensuring that all individuals who represent South Hykeham Parish Council are aware of and understand and operate this Equal Opportunities Policy.

 

Employer’s responsibilities

 

South Hykeham Parish Council

  • is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of this Equal Opportunities Policy
  • will ensure that all individuals within the Parish Council, whether paid or unpaid, clearly understand and practise the principles contained in this Policy
  • will not victimise anyone who has provided information about discrimination

 

It shall be the responsibility of the Clerk to the Parish Council to keep the Parish Council fully up to date with developments or difficulties relating to the implementation of this Policy.

 

Members and Employee’s responsibilities

 

All employees and members of South Hykeham Parish Council:

  • will be required to co-operate with measures introduced by the Council to ensure and promote equal opportunities
  • will neither practice any form of discrimination nor use discriminatory language
  • will draw to the attention of the Council any suspected acts of discrimination
  • will not victimise anyone who has provided information about discrimination.

 

Review

 

This Equal Opportunities Policy will be reviewed by South Hykeham Parish Council annually.

 

The Law

 

The policy will be implemented within the framework of the relevant legislation.

 

Chairman………………………………..Date……………………………………..