Bell Farm Christian Centre

BELL FARM CHRISTIAN CENTRE

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND DIVERSITY POLICY

 

Bell Farm Christian Centre aims to ensure that those using the services of Bell Farm Christian Centre are treated equally, irrespective of disability, race, colour, religion, belief, nationality, ethnic origin, age, sex, marital-status, offending history or sexual orientation.

Bell Farm Christian Centre is a Christian organisation committed to social justice and actively opposed to discrimination in society.

Bell Farm Christian Centre will make an effort to ensure that those using the services of the Organisation reflect the ethnic diversity of the local community.

 

Services

Bell Farm Christian Centre seeks to provide services on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account the needs of the people using the services. No person requiring services will be treated less favourably than any other person on any grounds. There shall be no discrimination on account of disability, race, colour, religion, belief, ethnic origin, age, sex, marital-status, sexual orientation, offending history or financial situation.

Bell Farm Christian Centre will endeavour to make the environment of the Organisation welcoming and physically accessible to all users. We will aim to ensure that all our services are fully accessible to people with disabilities. Provision will be made for those who speak other languages and for those who are deaf, partially sighted or have limited literacy skills. Publicity materials will positively reflect our multi-cultural society and where appropriate developed for those with disability.We will use materials and resources, which reflect the variety and diversity of family structures, gender-roles, race, cultures and disability.

We will create opportunities for all to benefit and learn from and about different cultures, races and experiences. In the operation of its various services Bell Farm Christian Centre will ensure that the management structures are responsive and accessible to those with whom we are working or those with whom we may seek to work.

 

Employment

Bell Farm Christian Centre is an equal opportunities employer and aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of disability, race, religion, belief, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, age, sex, marital-status, offending history or sexual orientation.

Bell Farm Christian Centre is a Christian Church with a clear Mission Statement. Accordingly, there are posts which can only be filled by Christians. The nature of these posts, the context in which they are carried out and their link to the ethos of the organisation give rise to a genuine occupational requirement (GOR) for the post holders to be Christian. These posts are noted and kept under regular review. All staff in these posts are required to demonstrate a clear personal commitment to the Christian faith.

All job vacancies shall be advertised either internally, externally or both. Where a short term temporary (less than 6 months) appointment is needed to maintain a service, appointments may be made without advertising.

Bell Farm Christian Centre acts in accordance with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, which makes it unlawful for employers to treat women or men less favourably in employment matters because of their sex or marital status. Bell Farm Christian Centre complies with the Equal Pay Act 1970 giving each employee the right to the same contractual pay and benefits as a person of the opposite sex in the same employment, doing work that is proved to be of equal value.

Bell Farm Christian Centre complies with the Sexual Orientation, the Age Regulations and the Religion and Belief Regulations.

Bell Farm Christian Centre aims to ensure that people with disabilities are given equal opportunities to enter employment. In doing so, it will fully consider reasonable adjustments to working practices, equipment and premises to ensure that a disabled person is not put at a substantial disadvantage due to their disability. In addition, when staff members become disabled in the course of their employment every effort will be made through reasonable adjustment, retraining or redeployment to enable them to remain in the employment of Bell Farm Christian Centre.

Bell Farm Christian Centre will appoint, train, develop and promote individuals on the basis of merit and ability. Where appropriate, Bell Farm Christian Centre will train and enable members of staff to qualify for promotion within or outside the organisation. According to disciplinary procedures action shall be taken against any staff found to have committed acts of unlawful discrimination. Discriminatory conduct and or harassment on the grounds of disability, race, religion, belief, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, age, sex, marital-status, offending history or sexual orientation shall be regarded as gross misconduct. The grievance procedure outlined in the Staff Handbook Section 11 is available to any employee who believes that he/she may have been unfairly discriminated against.

 

Implementation

The Minister and Centre Director is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Organisation’s Equal Opportunity Policy however; all staff members also have a personal responsibility to adhere to the policy. It is the intention of Bell Farm Christian Centre that no individual or organisation connected with these activities shall hinder the positive implementation of this Policy. Any form of discrimination is unacceptable to Bell Farm Christian Centre. Any employee may complain about discriminatory conduct. No individual will be penalised for raising a grievance unless it is proved to be untrue and made in bad faith. Any complaints will be fully investigated. Any discrimination or harassment proven to have taken place will be regarded as gross misconduct for the purposes of disciplinary purposes.

Bell Farm Christian Centre will seek to work with staff, clients and volunteers to ensure that they understand the  diversity of cultures and values within our community and by so doing enable all sections of the community to feel welcome.

Bell Farm Christian Centre will ensure that staff value each other and respect the variety of contributions each can make to the work.

Bell Farm Christian Centre will challenge individuals, whether client, staff, member or volunteer, who have a discriminatory attitude or who have a prejudicial attitude or behaviour. We will make an exchange of views, thoughts, feelings and information possible so as to facilitate an appropriate change to take place.

Bell Farm Christian Centre will not accept and will always confront and deal with harassment, repeated and unjustified comments, actions and suggestions or physical contacts which are found to be unacceptable and offensive and which might threaten employees’ job security or create an intimidating environment. In making contractual arrangements and entering into active partnerships with other agencies, the Organisation will seek a mutual commitment to equal opportunities and antidiscriminatory practice.

All staff and volunteers shall be made aware of the Equal Opportunities Policy at the beginning of their involvement with the Organisation. A copy of the Equal Opportunities Policy shall be made available for the perusal of all staff and volunteers and shall be kept in the Policies & Procedures folder located in each office. The management of Bell Farm Christian Centre will review the content and effectiveness of this policy annually.

 

 

 

  • Bell Farm Christian Centre
  • South Road
  • West Drayton
  • Middlesex
  • UB7 9LW

01895 444406
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