EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

Watford Muslim Community Project is committed to becoming an Equal Opportunities Employers.  Our policy aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of disability, race, sex, colour, creed, nationality, ethnic national origin, religious beliefs, political opinion, marital status, sexual orientation, or is disadvantaged by conditions and requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

Selection criteria and procedures will be reviewed periodically to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.

All employees will be given equality of opportunity and encouragement to progress within the organisation.  We are committed to a programme of action to make this policy effective.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYMENT POLICY

STATEMENT OF POLICY

WMCP accepts that in society certain groups or individuals have been and continue to be disadvantaged.  WMCP recognises that such discrimination is unacceptable.  It deplores all forms of discrimination and seeks to ensure that the working environment is sympathetic to all its employees.  It is committed to taking positive steps to tackle the problem.
WPCP therefore has committed itself to task of establishing and developing an equal opportunity Employment policy, as it believes that when providing employment opportunities and services it is essential to eliminate discrimination, to promote good relations, and equality of opportunities, this believes, is to mutual benefit of the management/co-ordinator and employees of the WMCP, in order to promote a fair, equal and harmonious environment.  In addition to its moral responsibility WMCP accepts the statutory requirement laid down in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (as amended).  The Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended) and the Fair Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 1989 (as amended), (in Northern Ireland)
The policy will be impended in accordance with appropriate statutory requirements of these acts.

The purpose of this document is to clarify WMCP’s commitment and preventing discrimination, encourage non-discriminatory practice and stimulate equal opportunity.  This statement outlines the main groups to whom the policy will be directed.  Specific initiatives and terms of codes of practice will subsequently be developed to put the policy into effect.

The policy covers all issues relating to employment which affect individuals and groups, whether actual or potential employees.  The promotion of this policy is directed at members of any minority or under represented groups.  WMCP believes that it is wrong to hinder equality of opportunity and therefore will actively promote equality of opportunity within the following frameworks.

IMPLEMENTATION

This policy applies to all potential and actual employees.  WMCP will maintain a working environment in which workers do not feel intimidated because of their race, sex, disability, religious belief or political opinion.  WMCP is committed to ensuring the employment opportunities are available to all by enforcing the policy.  In implanting this policy, WMCP recognises that different groups may encounter particular difficulties in employment.

DISABLED PERSONS

WMCP recognises its obligation to recruit the statutory quota of registered disabled people.  People with disabilities are denied opportunities at work because of misconceptions about what they can and what they cannot do.  The aim of the policy will be to improve the opportunities available.

WOMEN

The aim of the policy is to improve the employment opportunities available to women.  It is in WMCP’s interest that the services of trained and experienced staff are retained.  WMCP recognises in some circumstances men may also be subjected to discrimination.
Men and women will be encouraged to apply for posts which hitherto may have been staffed almost exclusively by a single sex.

ETHNIC MINORITIES

The aim of the policy is to remove the effect of racial discrimination on employment.  WMCP regards the provision of equality of opportunity regardless of race to be vital, in order to give individuals a fair and equal chance of developing their abilities and realising their expectations.
This also ensures that the WMCP is able to make full and effective use of human resources available.