EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

1 Statement of Intent

CPE wishes to meet its charitable aims without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race, disability, political, religious or other opinion. CPE recognises that many different groups of people in society continue to face both direct and indirect discrimination. CPE believes that it is wrong to prevent equality of opportunity. The purpose of this document is to state our commitment to develop and promote equality of opportunity through our policies and practices.

CPE recognises monitoring and evaluation as essential tools in ensuring that equality of opportunity is developed and maintained throughout the organisation and will regularly conduct monitoring and evaluation of all areas of this policy.

The aim of this policy is to ensure that no member, volunteer, contractor, employee or service user is discriminated against on the grounds of gender, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, culture, marital status, sexuality, class, trade union activity, political, religious belief, physical appearance, HIV status, or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

Overall responsibility for ensuring equal opportunities within rests with the Board of Directors and in particular with XXX. Functional responsibility for the day to day operation of the policy rests with the research officers as designated in their contracts and set out below.

2 Implementing the Equal Opportunities Policy

The Board of Directors (Trustees) shall be responsible for reviewing, updating and implementing the EO Policy. This will include the following:

2.1 Monitoring and Reviewing EO Policy

Equal Opportunities shall be an agenda at the Annual General Meeting, where any new developments and updates to the Policy will be discussed and approved. In particular the following will be reviewed:

• Provision of CPEs services as it relates to EO issues.
• EO as it relates to contracts.
• The incidence of any complaints and disciplinary and grievance procedures.
• Recommendations on how to improve the implementation of this policy.

3 Recruitment and Selection

The intention of the recruitment procedure is to ensure the widest response to any vacancies. CPE will take positive steps to inform disadvantaged groups of any vacancies. The selection process is carried out according to objective job related criteria.

4.Employment

Employment by CPE is made on the basis of the relevant person specification with regard to qualities, skills, experience and knowledge and is made irrespective of race, sex, sexual orientation or opinions of the employee.

The research officers are expected to deliver the services of CPE according to the constitution and their job descriptions, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race, disability, political, religious or other opinion.

5. Volunteers and Consultants

It is the responsibility of the senior research officer to make all volunteers and consultants aware of the EO policy and to recruit volunteers and consultants on the basis of the policy and according to task related criteria.

6. Service Users

Service users should expect the highest standards of treatment and be able to access services regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, disability, political, religious or other opinion.

7. Disputes and Grievances

If any contractor, member, volunteer or service user feels they are abused, harassed or discriminated against they should in the first instance approach XXX or one of the Trustees. Mrs. Johnson should deal with any such grievance according to the EO Policy. If necessary the full Board of Directors will take up the grievance.

8. Publicity

CPE undertakes to ensure that publicity is aimed at the whole community and strives to ensure that no person who might wish to access its services or who could benefit is excluded either intentionally or unintentionally.

9 Services and Deliverables

All necessary steps will be taken to ensure that access to CPE's services and facilities are open to everyone within the terms of its constitution. In addition, positive steps will be taken to meet the special needs of disadvantaged groups, and where appropriate special provision made.

Discriminatory behaviour and attitudes will be challenged throughout the organisation as laid out in this policy.