EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

1. Statement of Intent

1.1 Innovation Dance Ltd is fully committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and is

responsible for ensuring that no job applicant, employee, volunteer or member

receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race,

ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, pregnancy, religious

belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief.

1.2 Innovation Dance Ltd will ensure that there will be open access to all those who wish to participate

in all dance activities, including classes, workshops and performances and that they are treated fairly.

2. Purpose of the Policy

2.1 Innovation Dance Ltd recognises that certain sections of the community have been affected by

past discrimination and may be denied the opportunity to participate equally and

fully in sport at all levels.

2.2 This policy has been produced to prevent/tackle any potential/current

discrimination or other unfair treatment, whether intentional or unintentional, direct

or indirect, against its employees, members and volunteers.

3. Discrimination, harassment and victimisation

3.1 Discrimination can take the following forms:

3.1.1 Direct Discrimination. This means treating someone less favourably than

you would treat others in the same circumstances.

3.1.2 Indirect Discrimination. This occurs when a job requirement or condition is

applied equally to all, which has a disproportionate and detrimental affect on

one sector of society, because fewer from that sector can comply with it and

the requirement cannot be justified in relation to the job.

3.1.3 When decisions are made about an individual, the only personal

characteristics taken into account will be those which, as well as being

consistent with relevant legislation, are necessary to the proper

performance of the work involved.

3.2 Harassment is described as inappropriate actions, behaviour, comments or

physical contact that is objectionable or causes offence to the recipient. It may be

directed towards people because of their gender, appearance, race, colour, ethnic

origin, nationality, age, sexual preference, a disability or some other characteristic.

Innovation Dance Ltd is committed to ensuring that its employees, members, participants and

volunteers are able to conduct their activities free from harassment or intimidation.

3.3 Innovation Dance Ltd regards discrimination, harassment or victimisation, as described above, as

serious misconduct and any employee, volunteer or member who discriminates

against, harasses or victimises any other person will be liable to appropriate

disciplinary action.

4. Responsibility, implementation and communication

4.1 The following responsibilities will apply:

4.1.1 Emma Hardy / Zoe Newell have the

overall responsibility for achieving the equity action plan as this will form

part of their work programme.

4.1.2 All employees, volunteers and members have responsibilities to respect, act

in accordance with and thereby support and promote the spirit and

intentions of the policy and, where appropriate, individual work programmes

will be amended to include equity related tasks.

4.2.1 A copy of this document will be available to all staff (both permanent and

contract), members and volunteers of Innovation Dance Ltd.

4.2.2 Innovation Dance Ltd will take measures to ensure that its employment practices are nondiscriminatory.

4.2.3 No job applicant will be placed at a disadvantage by requirements or

conditions which are not necessary to the performance of the job or which

constitute unfair discrimination.

4.2.4 A planned approach will be adopted to eliminate barriers which

discriminate.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation

5.1 Once approved, the policy will apply for 3 years before a formal review takes

place, unless any proposal to the Directors, or legislation change, requires an interim

review and/or amendment.

5.2 As part of the overall business delivery plan, the equity action plan, will be

reviewed by the Directors on a six monthly basis.

6. Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures

6.1 To safeguard individual rights under the policy, an employee, volunteer or member

who believes he/she has suffered inequitable treatment within the scope of the

policy may raise the matter through the appropriate grievance procedure.

6.2 Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any employee, volunteer or

member who violates Innovation Dance Ltd’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

6.3 An individual may raise any grievance and no employee, volunteer or member will

be penalised for doing so unless it is untrue and not made in good faith.