Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables recognises the benefits of having a diverse community of staff, who value one another and the different contributions they can make to achieve the company’s mission to be a centre of excellence.
Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, providing equality of opportunity for all staff, applicants, and visitors. In the provision of equal opportunities, Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables recognises and accepts its responsibilities under the law.
The policy aims to provide equality of opportunity regardless of gender, ethnicity, colour, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or marital status.
Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables seeks to create an open and supportive environment which is free from discrimination, and which encourages all staff to participate fully in Prosolar Power Ltd activities.
This is an over-arching policy that should be read in conjunction with other relevant policies and guidance notes.
This policy applies to all aspects of Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables staff activity, including sub-contracted staff.
Responsibilities
Staff and students are encouraged to assist in promoting equal opportunities by bringing discriminatory practices to the attention of the Chair of the Equal Opportunities Committee via the Manager of Human Resources for staff.
Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables Directors and those staff in management and leadership roles will, through their responsibilities, be proactive in promoting diversity and equal opportunities, and in tackling discrimination.
Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables will ensure that:
- All staff Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables staff and any partnership staff) are aware of the Equal Opportunities Policy.
- The implementation of equal opportunities is adequately monitored.
- Staff are provided with appropriate foram to discuss and deal with equal opportunities issues.
- Clear and publicly accessible procedures are in place for the fair selection and free from discrimination.
- The Directors of Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables are responsible for ensuring that Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables staff adhere to the Equal Opportunities Policy.
Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables staff will:
- Support and implement the Equal Opportunities Policy, and
- Ensure that their behaviour and/or actions do not amount to discrimination or harassment in any way.
The development and monitoring of the Equal Opportunities Policy is supported by the Equal Opportunities Officer, who is responsible for developing and co-ordinating initiatives that will enhance diversity and equality of opportunity within the company.
Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables staff are required to comply with this policy and with the relevant legal requirements, and are expected to promote a culture free of discrimination, prejudice and all forms of harassment and bullying. Any incidents of discrimination, harassment or bullying will be investigated and may be grounds for disciplinary action.
The Legal Framework
The following legislation applies to all:
- Sex Discrimination Act 1975 as amended 2003
- The Race Relations Act 1976 as amended 2000
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as amended 2001, 2003
- Prevention from Harassment Act 1997
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Race Relations Amendment Regulations, 2003
- Discrimination
The Race Relations Act outlines four main forms of unlawful discrimination: direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, victimisation and harassment. The following definitions are taken from the Race Relations Act. These classifications also apply under the Sex Discrimination Act and the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation and Religion and Belief) Regulations.
Direct discrimination – this occurs when a person is treated less favourably on racial grounds than another person is, or would be, treated in the same or similar circumstances. Direct discrimination is automatically unlawful, whatever the reason for it, and no justification can be put forward to excuse the difference in treatment.
Indirect discrimination – consists of applying in any circumstances covered by the Act, a requirement or condition which, although applied equally to persons of all racial groups, is such that a considerably smaller proportion of a particular racial group can comply with it and it cannot be shown to be justifiable on other than racial grounds, for example, a rule about clothing or uniforms which disproportionately disadvantages a racial group and cannot be justified.
Victimisation – this occurs when a person is treated less favourably than another is, or would be, treated because they have brought, or are suspected of having brought, legal proceedings under the Act, or because they have given evidence or information on behalf of someone else’s complaint, or because they have complained of discrimination.
Harassment – this occurs when a person harasses another on grounds of race, or ethnic or national origin when his or her behaviour is unwanted, and when it has the purpose or effect of violating the other person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or offensive environment for them.
Disability Discrimination Act
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended 2001) discrimination against disabled people can take place in either of three ways:
- When a responsible body treats a disabled person less favourably, for a reason relating to the person’s disability, than it treats (or would treat) a person to whom that reason does not, or would not, apply and that treatment cannot be justified.
- By failing to take reasonable steps to ensure that disabled people are not placed at a “substantial disadvantage” compared to other people, without justification. This is known as the reasonable adjustments duty.
- Victimisation is a special form of discrimination covered by the Act. It applies whether or not the person victimised is a disabled person, as defined above under the Race Relations Act.
All material published by Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables will seek to avoid the use of offensive and discriminatory language and images. Publicity materials will include a statement outlining the company’s commitment to equality of opportunity and diversity.
Monitoring and Review
Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables Equal Opportunities policy committee will review reports from staff and agree appropriate actions; reports will then go to Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables.
Advice and information on equal opportunities implementation and issues can be sought from the Equal Opportunities Advisor.
Publication
Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables will:
- Publicise and promote the policy through the course website and staff manuals.
- Make a copy of the policy available to current staff and issue new staff with a copy of the policy with their induction folder.
- Make Partnership company’s staff aware of this policy as part of the Partnership process.
- Include a copy in the Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables staff handbook.
- Make staff aware of this policy when they join Impact Renewable Energy Ltd t/a Impact Renewables
Thank you.