Equal Opportunities 

Equal opportunities reflects our aims and purposes, and is a fundamental part of working practice.

The Clock Tower Sanctuary recognises and supports a policy of Equal opportunities which reflects its aims and purposes. It aims to create a harmonious environment that outlaws discrimination.

The Clock Tower Sanctuary will neither discriminate against, nor treat any individual unfavourably on the grounds of gender, sexuality, race, nationality, age or ability. People with disabilities will be given an equal opportunity to participate in training and the Clock Tower Sanctuary will consider making reasonable adjustments to practices to ensure that a disabled person is not put at a substantial disadvantage.

It is the responsibility of every volunteer to eliminate discrimination by ensuring the practical application of the Equal opportunities policy and reporting incidents to the appropriate person. Any discrimination is totally unacceptable at the Clock Tower Sanctuary and anyone found to be breaching the centre&38;s policy will face disciplinary action.

Harassment is unwanted behaviour which causes distress and annoyance to the victim and the damage, tension and conflict which harassment creates makes for an unpleasant environment for all.

While racial and sexual are easily recognised forms of harassment, other grounds include age, health, physical appearance, religion, personal beliefs, ethnic and national origin, nationality, skin colour and sexual orientation.

Harassment may be persistent or isolated incidents and may be directed towards one individual or more. It can range from extremes (for example assault to less obvious forms of ignoring someone). Other examples include physical contact, jokes, offensive language, obscene gestures, isolation and exclusion from social activities, gossip, slander, graffiti, coercion for sexual favours, intrusion by pestering, spying and stalking.

Volunteers should not ignore behaviour which makes them feel uncomfortable; instead they should take action to ensure the behaviour stops, such as making it clear that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Where such action fails or where more serious harassment occurs the victim should make a formal complaint. Allegations of harassment will be treated seriously and with confidentiality. They will be investigated thoroughly and dealt with promptly.

If such an allegation has been made maliciously the matter will be regarded with even greater seriousness and disciplinary action taken against the offending person.

Whatever the outcome, no person making a complaint about harassment should have to suffer victimisation for having made the complaint.

The Clock Tower Sanctuary realises that this policy will not guarantee that there will be no incidents involving harassment or of unlawful discrimination – it will be effective only when volunteers co-operate with measures expressed.