Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
/Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
Statement
Introduction from the Chairman
Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. (the Club) is an equal opportunities employer. The Club is fully committed to equality of opportunity within its Organisation and encourages a similar commitment from organisations with which we have contact, either through our business or socially. Equality of opportunity at the Club means that we will not discriminate against or in any way treat less favourably, any persons on grounds of race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion, disability, sex or sexual orientation in any of our activities.
Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. is committed to eliminate any direct or indirect discrimination of any form within its structure and will under no circumstances condone unlawful discriminatory practices. The club takes a zero tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying. Our policy approach is set out below.
D. Baillie, Chairman
Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.
March 2024
1. Policy Statement
Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. endorses the principle of Equality and is committed to ensuring that everyone who wishes to be involved with Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C., regardless of their role, current or potential:
· have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, regardless of their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion, race, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation; and
· can be assured of an environment in which their rights and dignity and individual worth are respected and valued, and in particular that they are able to be involved and participate without the threat of discrimination, intimidation, victimisation, bullying, harassment or abuse.
The Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. Chairman and Secretary will be responsible for monitoring and the implementation the policy and are publicly accountable for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and will receive regular updates on Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. activities and implementation of the policy from the Committee. It is the role of the Chairman and Secretary to address any actual or potential breaches of the policy within the Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. structure.
This statement, and the full contents of the policy, has been shared with officials, coaches and players of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. The statement and policy is displayed on the notice board in the home changing room and is easily accessible on our club website.
2. Policy Objectives
This Policy has the following objectives: -
To promote fair and equitable treatment for everyone involved with Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. in whatever capacity.
To ensure that no one working for, wishing to work for or working on behalf of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. receives less favourable treatment on the grounds set out in 1.
To adopt a planned approach (strategically and operationally) to eliminating perceived barriers which discriminate against or exclude particular groups.
To give clear guidance and communication to all individuals who, either administer an area of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. or work for Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. on its commitment to Equality.
To ensure that the content of policies, procedures, competitions, regulations (where applicable) and assessments provides equal opportunity for all except where specific situations or conditions properly or reasonably prevent this.
To adopt systems and procedures which ensure all materials prepared, produced or distributed on behalf of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. and all relevant public statements made on behalf of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. reflect its commitment to equality and inclusion.
3. Scope
3.1 This Policy applies to all current and potential employees (temporary), workers, Directors, Co-optees, consultants, agents, sub-contractors, volunteers, and any other person providing services on behalf of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. (“associated persons”).
3.2 The Policy extends to all activities of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.
4. Policy Overview
4.1 Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. is committed to remove and eliminate any direct or indirect discrimination of any form or kind within Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. structures, and will under no circumstances condone unlawful discriminatory practices. The organisation takes a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying. Examples of the relevant legislation and the behaviours in question are given in Appendix A Legal Notes (Bottom of the Page).
5. Positive Action
5.1 The principle of Equality goes further than simply complying with legislation. It entails taking positive steps to counteract the effects of barriers – whether real or perceived – that restrict the opportunity for all to participate equally and fully.
5.2 Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. will therefore seek to institute, support or contribute to appropriate measures or initiatives that enable access Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. and participation in associated activities by people from any group that is under-represented or has difficulty accessing it.
5.3 Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. will furthermore seek to apply employment practices in general, and recruitment and selection practices more specifically, which encourage and support people with protected characteristics to gain access to work or training.
6. Reasonable adjustments
6.1 Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. recognises that it is has a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled persons.
6.2 The duty to make reasonable adjustments may include the removal, adaptation or alteration of physical features if these make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to carry out their role. It may also include making changes to working arrangements.
6.3 Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. will consider all requests for adjustments and where possible will accommodate any reasonable requests. Where appropriate, advice may be sought from specialist agencies.
7. Implementation
7.1 To achieve these objectives, Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. is committed to promote and advance equal opportunity through Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. structures which will cover all areas of our organisation. The Chairman is ultimately responsible for implementing the Policy.
7.2 The following steps will be taken to publicise this policy and promote Equality within Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.: -
A copy of this Policy will be published on Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. website.
The Board will take full account of the Policy in arriving at all decisions in relation to activities of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C..
Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. will collaborate fully with any practical surveys or other initiatives designed to assess the level of participation of different sections of the community in football and will take account of the findings in developing measures to promote and enhance Equality.
Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.will provide access to training for all of its Board Members and staff to raise awareness of both collective and individual responsibilities.
8. Responsibilities
8.1 The Board will review all Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. activities and initiatives against the aims of the policy on an annual basis and will report on developments and highlights.
8.2 Every two years, the club shall conduct an audit of staff (paid and unpaid) and the club committee. The audit will be the responsibility of the Secretary to conduct.
8.3 The Board, or where appropriate a designated project leader, will review any measures or initiatives that Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. may institute or take part in to promote and enhance equal.
9. Disciplinary Process
9.1 Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. reserves the right to audit compliance with the policy from time to time. If you are an employee, a worker or casual staff and misconduct is discovered as a result of any investigation under this policy the Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. disciplinary procedures will be used in additional to any appropriate external measures. Disciplinary action kay ultimately lead to dismissal.
10. Disorderly Conduct & Sanctions
10.1 Disorderly conduct means:
Conduct which stirs up or sustains, or is likely or designed to stir up or sustain, hatred or ill will against or towards a group or person based on their membership or presumed membership of a group defined by reference to a category or against an individual who is or is presumed to be of the following categories:
· Gender, colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origin
· Membership or presumed membership of a religious group or of a social or cultural group with perceived religious affiliation
· Sexual orientation
· Transgender identity
By the person or persons engaged in the Conduct to be a member of such group.
· Using threatening, abusive or insulting words or conduct.
· Displays any writing or other thing which us threatening, abusive or insulting or
· Using words or conduct or displaying wording or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000, and any successive or replacement legislation thereto.
10.2 Sanctions
Any person committing Disorderly conduct and/or any person who assists another or others to commit Disorderly conduct, may be subject to any, or a combination of the following:
· Refusal of entry to the stadium
· Removal from the stadium
· Suspension from attending matches of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.
· Indefinite ban from attending matched of Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.
· Be the subject of a report to Police Scotland and/or any prosecuting authorities which may result in possible criminal proceedings.
Appendix A – Legal Notes
Discrimination has been legally defined through a series of legislative acts, including the Race Relations Act, the Sex Discrimination Act, the Disability Discrimination Act and the Equality Act 2006. In April 2010, the Equality Act 2010 received Royal Assent. The Equality Act 2010 is a new law which harmonises where possible, and in some cases extends, protection from discrimination. It applies throughout the UK and came into force in October 2010.
Discrimination refers to unfavourable treatment on the basis of particular characteristics, which are known as the ‘protected characteristics’. Under the Equality Act 2010, the protected characteristics are defined as age (employment only until 2012), disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status (employment only), pregnancy and maternity, race (which includes ethnic or national origin, colour or nationality), religion or belief, sex (gender) and sexual orientation.
Under the Equality Act 2010, individuals are protected from discrimination ‘on grounds of’ a protected characteristic . This means that individuals will be protected if they have a characteristic, are assumed to have it, associate with someone who has it or with someone who is assumed to have it.
Forms of discrimination and discriminatory behaviour include the following:
Direct discrimination
Direct discrimination can be described as less favourable treatment on the grounds of one of the protected characteristics.
Indirect discrimination
Indirect discrimination occurs when a provision, criterion or practice is applied to an individual or group that would put persons of a particular characteristic at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons.
Discrimination arising from disability
When a disabled person is treated unfavourably because of something connected with their disability and this unfavourable treatment cannot be justified, this is unlawful. This type of discrimination only relates to disability.
Harassment
Harassment is defined as unwanted conduct relating to a protected characteristic that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity, or which creates an intimidating or hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person.
Victimisation
It is unlawful to treat a person less favourably because he or she has made allegations or brought proceedings under the anti-discrimination legislation, or because they have helped another person to do so. To do so could constitute victimisation.
Bullying
Bullying is defined as a form of personal harassment involving the misuse of power, influence or position to persistently criticise, humiliate or undermine an individual.
Reviewed & Approved by the Committee
Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.
March 2024
