Equal Opportunities Statement

This policy sets out Reach Support CIC’s approach to promoting Equality of Opportunity with the primary aim of providing equality for all and preventing any form of discrimination.

Policy Statement

Reach Support CIC is committed to creating an inclusive working environment to maximise the potential of all staff, providing equal opportunities in all aspects of employment and avoiding unlawful discrimination at work. Reach Support CIC will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation of employees or third parties who do work on Reach’s behalf.

Who does the policy apply to?

The policy applies to all Reach staff; contractors; consultants and any other third parties who carry out work on Reach’s behalf.

Principles

The key principles of this equal opportunities policy are to:

• provide equality for all
• promote an inclusive culture
• respect and value differences of everyone
• prevent discrimination, harassment and victimisation
• promote and foster good relations across the workforce and with partners

The Law

Our policy is governed by the Equality Act 2010, which makes it unlawful to discriminate directly or indirectly, in recruitment or employment because of a protected characteristic. The protected characteristics are:

• age
• disability
• gender (or sex)
• gender reassignment
• race
• religion or belief
• sexual orientation
• pregnancy and maternity
• marriage and civil partnership

Reach Support CIC is committed to achieving equal opportunities, respects and values diversity, and is committed to applying equality of opportunity in all its practices and objective/service delivery with regard to ethnic origin, age, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital status and disability or any other criterion not relevant to the point at issue.

Reach Support CIC’s directors have overall responsibility for the effective operation of this policy. However, all staff and volunteers have a duty as part of their involvement with Reach Support CIC to do everything they can to ensure that the policy works in practice.

Equal Opportunities Policy Implementation

Reach Support CIC accepts responsibility to promote equal opportunities and challenge discrimination wherever it occurs.
It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to ensure that no other staff member, volunteer or service user receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of age, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status or gender.

This policy will be reviewed every (three) years or when new legislation requires it.

Recruitment and Employment Practices

As far as it lies within our power, we will ensure that our recruitment processes are designed to ensure equal access for all.

Application forms will make it clear that life experience as well as formal qualifications and work experience is valid.

Training

All Staff and volunteers will receive yearly updates on the Equal Opportunities policy, or as new legislation requires it.

Adopted by the Board of Directors on 25th June 2019

Signed:

W A Sartain

Managing Director

Review Date: December 2025