Equality and Diversity Policy

Aims

  • Sussex Indian Punjabi Society is open to anyone, as outlined in our constitution. We aim to create an atmosphere of friendship, respect and care for each other. In particular, we aim to treat everyone equally, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation
  • The Sussex Indian Punjabi Society also recognises that where direct or indirect discrimination occurs within the Sussex Indian Punjabi Society, it is both morally and legally unacceptable.
  • The purpose of the Equality and Diversity Policy is to set out clearly and fully the positive action the Sussex Indian Punjabi Society intends to take to combat direct and indirect discrimination in the organisation, in the services it provides and in its relationships with other bodies.
  • In adopting this Equality and Diversity Policy, the Sussex Indian Punjabi Society is also making an unequivocal commitment to implementing it, so as to ensure that equal opportunity becomes a reality.

Code of Practice

  • The Sussex Indian Punjabi Society organises cultural events and activities, which bring the Indian and wider community together. This will be done with the aim of improving the social well-being and mental health of our community by bringing everyone together.
  • Whilst promoting awareness of Indian culture, its history and values, the society encourages inclusion of the wider community and ensures activities and events are open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of religion, race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability and/or age.
  • We aim to make our meetings and events accessible to people with disabilities – e.g. provide transport, meet in accessible premises, provide sign language interpreters when necessary and produce information in large print.
  • We will endeavour to provide interpreters at all our activities as and when required to encourage inclusion and participation.
  • We routinely adapt our activities to ensure that everybody is able to be involved and engaged in them. In this regard, we are very much an intergenerational organisation which reflects our culture of including children right through to the elderly.
  • We actively encourage children of all ages to become participants and not just observers by giving them specific roles in activities and events.
  • We actively discourage any bias in our organisation. When holding events or undertaking activities all members, volunteers and participants take on specific responsibilities which are based on the skill set of individuals rather than on stereotyping.
  • We aim to use local training opportunities to help our committee and members better understand how discrimination occurs and how to prevent it.
  • All members of the Sussex Indian Punjabi Society will have the Equality and Diversity Policy explained to them, and will undertake to comply with and implement this policy.
  • We have a grievance procedure (see below) within our society to resolve any concerns our members may have on any types of discrimination, bullying, harassment, conflict, or any type of behaviour, which interferes with the smooth running of our organisation or does not comply with our aims and objectives.  

Code of Conduct

  • People will be treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability and/or age.
  • At all times people’s feelings will be valued and respected. Language or humour that people find offensive will not be tolerated, e.g. sexist or racist jokes or terminology which is derogatory to someone with a disability.
  • No one will be harassed, abused or intimidated on the ground of his or her race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability or age. Incidents of harassment will be taken seriously.

Grievance Procedure

  • The Committee will take complaints of discrimination and harassment very seriously.
  • If any person feels they have been discriminated against by the Sussex Indian Punjabi Society or harassed at a Sussex Indian Punjabi Society event they should raise this with the committee.
  • The committee will investigate the complaint thoroughly, and provide opportunities for the person(s) making the complaint to speak in a safe environment about their experience. (If the complaint is against a committee member, that member will not participate in the investigation).
  • If the complaint is against a particular individual, the accused person will have the opportunity to express their point of view, accompanied by a friend. The complainant will also be given this opportunity. We would aim to provide a supporting environment for all involved and hope for a satisfactory resolution.
  • If the complaint is against the Sussex Indian Punjabi Society as a whole, the Committee will take steps to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of the complainant if the complaint is upheld and has merit. If necessary, third part involvement to mediate will be exercised. The Committee must work to ensure that such discrimination is not repeated in the future, and must inform the members of how they propose to do this.
  • The Committee will decide the action to take based on the principle of ensuring the continued inclusion and safety of any member who has experienced discrimination or harassment.
  • Any decision to terminate someone’s membership will be made in line with the rules set out in the constitution.

Any decision to exclude a person from the organisation due to discriminatory or harassing behaviour will be made with reference to the Sussex Indian Punjabi Society constitution. The Sussex Indian Punjabi Society will support people who feel they have been harassed or discriminated against, and they will not be victimised as a consequence of their complaint.