Club Equality Policy

1.  Policy Objectives

1.1    West Country RC Truckers Club subscribes to the principles of equality of opportunity and aims to ensure that anyone participating at our club can do so in a discrimination-free environment.

1.2     The Equality Policy is based on the following fundamental principles, which West Country RC Truckers Club aims to uphold:

1.2.1   All persons must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being and their right to self-determination.

1.2.2   All Directors, Committee members, and members applicants are entitled to be treated equally regardless of gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, age, parental or marital status, disability, religion, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, or socio/economic background.

1.2.3   Equality must permeate throughout all our club plans, procedures and activity.

1.2.4   All participants should be afforded equal opportunity to access services.

1.2.5   In some cases, positive action may be required to address past inequalities or under-representation.

1.2.6   It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that no form of discrimination is tolerated in our club.

1.2.7   Any individual who believes they have received unfavourable treatment within the scope of the policy should raise their concern in line with our club’s Procedures.

1.2.8   No individual (and/or their family) who raises a concern in good faith, or those who support another person to raise a concern should be treated unfairly as a result of raising the concern.

2.  Purpose of the Policy

 2.1     The Equality Policy has been designed to ensure that no job applicant, employee, volunteer, participant or member is unlawfully discriminated against or receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation (together these are known as the ‘Protected Characteristics’ under the Equality Act 2010)

This Policy has been produced to try to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and avoid practices that could discriminate directly or indirectly towards certain sections of society. In order to achieve equality, West Country RC Truckers Club recognises that in some instances, unequal distribution of effort and resources may be required.  This may be necessary when sections of society are faced with barriers that prevent or restrict their participation in our hobby. West Country RC Truckers Club supports the need for positive action to alleviate any barriers to participation.

2.3     Equality is about respecting peoples’ individuality. In doing this, West Country RC    Truckers Club recognises that its Policy must provide flexibility in order to ensure an environment, which is adaptive to individuals’ needs, thus enabling all in our society to participate without prejudice or unnecessary barriers.

3.  Responsibilities of West Country RC Truckers Club

3.1    West Country RC Truckers Club strives to ensure that our club is free from discrimination. We endeavour to promote the highest standards and will:

3.1.1   Provide and implement a policy to protect participants from discrimination.

3.1.2   Encourage individuals from all communities to become involved at any level of participation.

3.1.3   Respond to all concerns and implement the appropriate remedial procedures where necessary.

3.2   West Country RC Truckers Club will work to ensure that inequality is avoided:

3.2.1  In the monitoring of practices, procedures and data relating to the operations and activities of the club.

3.2.2   In the preparation and distribution of all materials and publications.

3.2.3  By the relaxation of any conventional rules which serve to inhibit the participation of people with special needs or disabilities. Any relaxation of club rules will only be carried out for the purpose above where it is safe to do so and does not have a detrimental effect on the club’s activity.

 4.  Responsibilities of club members

4.1    Every club member is required to assist in ensuring that the West Country RC Truckers Club meets its commitment and avoids unlawful discrimination.

 5.   Legal Requirements

 5.1    West Country RC Truckers Club recognises its legal obligations under, and will abide by the requirements of, the Equality Act 2010, and any later amendments to such legislation.

 5.2      It is unlawful to discriminate directly or indirectly in recruitment, employment or in the provision of services because of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion or belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership. 

 5.3     West Country RC Truckers Club recognises that the following behaviours are unacceptable:

           “Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying and Victimisation”

 5.4      Unlawful discrimination, which can take the following forms:

 5.4.1   Direct Discrimination: - treating someone less favourably than another person because of a Protected Characteristic.

 5.4.2   Indirect Discrimination: - an action, rule or policy that applies to everyone but disadvantages someone with a particular Protected Characteristic.

 5.4.3   Associative Discrimination: – direct discrimination against someone because they associate with another person who possesses a particular Protected Characteristic.

 5.4.4   Discrimination by perception: – direct discrimination against someone because others think they possess a particular Protected Characteristic.

 5.4.5   Discrimination arising from disability: – someone is treated unfavourably because of something connected with their disability.

 5.4.6   Bullying: – offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, and /or an abuse or misuse of power that is meant to undermine, humiliate or injure the person on the receiving end.

 5.4.7   Harassment: - unwanted or offensive conduct directed at oneself or another person.

 5.4.8   Harassment by a third party: – the company is potentially liable for harassment of their staff by people not employed by them.

 5.4.9   Victimisation: - treating a group or individuals in a detrimental way because they have made or intend to make a complaint or provide evidence in support of another complaint.

 5.5   West Country RC Truckers Club regards acts of discrimination, bullying, harassment or victimisation as serious issues. Staff or members who are found to have discriminated against, harassed, bullied or victimised any other person, will be dealt with appropriately.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation

6.1   The West Country RC Truckers Club Equality Policy will be regularly monitored and will be updated where necessary, in the following situations:

6.1.1   As a result of any changes in legislation

6.1.2   Following a procedural review as a result of a significant incident

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