Equal Opportunities Policy

 

Primary Responsibility	Church Secretary
Issued	January 2021
Status	Agreed
Review Period	5 years
Next Review Date	January 2026

 
DISTRIBUTION

Original	Church Office
Copy	Minister
Copy	Trustees

 
If printed this document is UNCONTROLLED

   1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides information concerning equal opportunities and provides guidelines for staff and volunteers on good practice.  It applies to all members of staff and volunteers at Wymondham Baptist Church.
 
 
    2. CONTEXT
Wymondham Baptist Church recognises the value of equal opportunities and seeks, wherever possible, to follow the guidelines drawn up by the relevant statutory body.
‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ Galatians 3:28
 

3. DEFINITIONS

Discrimination = any unlawful discrimination
Although there may be circumstances justifying treatment, which are not unlawful (for example to comply with a genuine occupational requirement for a position), Wymondham Baptist Church will not tolerate unlawful discrimination and/or harassment on the grounds of an individual’s sex, race, marital status, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, age, religious belief, union membership, union activities, or employment status.  Any reference to discrimination in this policy includes all such possible grounds.
 

4. POLICY

In relation to matters of religion and belief, Wymondham Baptist Church reserves the right to appoint staff who demonstrate that they are practising Christians and adhere to the church’s statement of faith, and for all staff and volunteers to speak and act in line with Christian values in the course of their duties, in accordance with the Employment Equality Regulations.
For some posts within Wymondham Baptist Church, more than a loyalty to the Christian ethos of the church is required and these posts are recognised as having Genuine Occupational Requirements.
Wymondham Baptist Church is committed to equal opportunity, and it is its policy to treat job applicants, employees, volunteers and suppliers in the same way, subject to requiring employees to adhere to the church’s ethos statement and staff code of conduct.
 

5. IMPLEMENTATION

Wymondham Baptist Church is an equal opportunity employer.  Equal opportunity is about ensuring good employment practices and efficient use of the church’s most valuable resources, its employees and volunteers.  Every Trustee, employee and volunteer has personal responsibility for implementing the policy.  Any instance of doubt about the application of this policy, or other questions, should be directed to the Trustees.
This policy applies to the advertisement of jobs, recruitment and selection, training, conditions of work, pay and to every other aspect of employment.  Staff involved in recruitment should request training if they have any doubt about the application of this policy.
Any member of staff or volunteer may use the grievance procedure to complain about discriminatory conduct.  If the matter relates to unlawful harassment, then the grievance may be raised directly with the Trustees.  Wymondham Baptist Church is concerned to ensure that staff and volunteers feel able to raise such grievances and no individual will be penalised for raising such a grievance unless it is untrue and made in bad faith.
The policy also applies equally to the treatment of worshippers, visitors or suppliers.  Any concern related to the unequal treatment of worshippers, visitors or suppliers should be directed to the Trustees.
Any employee or volunteer who unlawfully harasses any other employee or volunteer in the course of their duties will be subject to the church’s disciplinary procedure.  In serious cases, such behaviour will be deemed to constitute gross misconduct and, as such, will result in summary dismissal in the absence of mitigating circumstances.
 

6. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

This equal opportunities statement and equal opportunities policy reflect both the mission and purpose of Wymondham Baptist Church and the spirit and intentions of legislation which outlaws discrimination.
Wymondham Baptist Church will not unlawfully discriminate or subject any individual (job applicant, volunteer, church members or worshipper) to less favourable treatment.
Wymondham Baptist Church aims to ensure that people with disabilities are given equal opportunity to enter employment.  In so doing, it will fully consider making 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 the church.
After taking into account any genuine occupational requirement, entry into employment and promotion or change of post within Wymondham Baptist Church is determined by personal merit and ability, relevant to the mission and purpose of the church.
It is the responsibility of every individual, both staff and volunteer, to eliminate discrimination by ensuring the practical application of the equal opportunities policy and reporting concerns about any possible breach of this policy to the Trustees.
All allegations of discrimination (including harassment) will be treated seriously.  Any unlawful discrimination is totally unacceptable to Wymondham Baptist Church and perpetrators will face disciplinary action.

Record of amendments:-

Date	Revised pages	Details of revision