1. Introduction
Fantasia Orchestra is a registered charity (number 1191335). We recognise the positive value of diversity, promoting equality and fairness, and challenging discrimination.
We recognise people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions, and we wish to encourage and harness these differences to make our organisation and all aspects of our work relevant and accessible. We will not unlawfully discriminate on any grounds whatsoever which shall include the grounds of: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity regardless of class and socio-economic background.
2. Scope
This policy relates to the work undertaken by Fantasia Orchestra involving supporters, players, partners, contractors, suppliers and other associated third parties.
3. Legal obligations
We aim to comply with our legal obligations outlined below. The Equality Act 2010 harmonises and strengthens and replaces most previous equality legislation. The following legislation is still relevant:
The Human Rights Act 1998
The Work and Families Act 2006
Employment Equal Treatment Framework Directive 2000 (as amended)
The Gender Recognition Act 2004.
4. Implementing the policy
Responsibilities:
All players, volunteers and trustees will be given a copy of this equality and diversity policy. They are expected to have read and understood this policy, to ensure that they behave in accordance with its principles and requirements, to encourage the same level of behaviour in colleagues and to immediately report any breaches witnessed, whenever it is reasonable for them to do so.
Conduct and general standards of behaviour:
- Fantasia Orchestra will treat everyone with dignity and respect and ensure they are made to feel equally welcome and included.
- All players and volunteers and trustees are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect.
- We will not tolerate any kind of anti-discriminatory behaviour whether direct, indirect, harassment or victimisation.
Complaints of discrimination:
-We will treat all complaints of discrimination seriously and we will take action where appropriate.
- If any player, partner, contractor, supplier or supporter feels they have been discriminated against, harassed or victimised, they should raise it with the Artistic Director or the Operations Manager. If the complaint is regarding this person, it should be raised with a Trustee. All complaints will be investigated.
We will also monitor the number and outcomes of complaints of discrimination made.
5. Review
The Trustees will have oversight of this policy and will monitor the effectiveness of this policy. The Trustees will undertake annual reviews of this policy, especially where there are changes in legislation or significant developments in the area of equality, diversity, inclusion or Human Rights.
November 2023