Equality & Diversity Policy

Equality & Diversity

Chester Triathlon Club is committed to the principle of equality of opportunity and aims to ensure that all present and potential participants, members, coaches, competitors, officials, volunteers, spectators are treated fairly and are able to fulfil their potential within the sport.

Our Equality and Diversity Policy is built upon the organisations values:

We are people centred
We are ambitious
We are inclusive
We do what is right.

We want to promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, promote a sport which is free from discrimination, harassment and prejudice and is truly representative of all sections of society.

Chester Triathlon Club is also committed to eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination, whether or not covered by current law, of our present and potential participants, members, coaches, competitors, officials, volunteers, spectators, and employees.

Our organisations internal policies and procedures consider the impact on people who share protected characteristics. It shows how Chester Triathlon Club are working towards increasing the diversity of people participating in our sport (members/participants/staff & board).

We have committed to increasing the diversity of volunteers (including Board and committee members), participants, clubs, regional councils, instructors, staff, and our wider workforce.

Legislation

The Equality Act 2010 is the main, overarching anti-discrimination law which Chester Triathlon Club is required to follow and abide by to help ensure that equality of opportunity is promoted across all groups and that diversity is at the heart of all that we do.

Chester Triathlon Club defines Equality and Diversity as:

Equality – treating everyone with fairness and respect and recognising and responding to the needs of individuals. Taking positive actions to address existing disadvantages and barriers affecting how people engage with and participate in triathlon.

Diversity – acknowledging and celebrating the differences between groups of people and between individuals.

The following characteristics are protected characteristics and it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of these:

Age
Gender reassignment
Being married or in a civil partnership
Being pregnant or on maternity leave
Disability
Race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
Religion or belief (including no religion)
Sex
Sexual orientation.

You are protected from discrimination:

At work
In education
As a consumer
When using public services
When buying or renting property
As a member or guest of a private club or association.

You are legally protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010.

You are also protected from discrimination if:

You are associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, for example a family member or friend
You have complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim.

Discrimination can come in one of the following forms:

Direct discrimination – is deliberately treating an individual less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic.

Indirect discrimination – putting rules or arrangements in place that apply to everyone, but that put someone with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage.

Harassment – unwanted behaviour linked to a protected characteristic that violates an individual’s dignity or creating and intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. The focus is on the perception of the complainant not the intent of the perpetrator. Employees can complain of behaviour they find offensive even if it is not directed at them.

Victimisation – treating someone unfairly because they have complained about discrimination or harassment.

Discrimination by association – discrimination against someone because they are associated with another person who possesses a protected characteristic.

Discrimination by perception – discrimination against someone because of the belief that someone possesses a protected characteristic.

The policy’s purpose is to:

Address and prevent any unlawful discrimination or other unfair treatment, whether intentional or unintentional, direct, or indirect, that may prevent anyone from participating fully in any aspect of triathlon.
Provide equality, fairness, and respect for all in our employment, whether temporary, part-time, or full-time, volunteer and also to our members, coaches, and officials.
Not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics 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 and gender identity and sexual orientation.
Ensure that no sections of the community are denied the opportunity to participate and make progress in the sport of triathlon.

Chester Triathlon Club will:

Take positive actions as an organisation to promote a change in attitudes and perceptions and to improve opportunities for everyone to participate in triathlon.
Actively identify and reduce barriers to participation for under-represented groups.
Consult with expert partners and other organisation to facilitate inclusive practices and remove barriers to participation.
Ensure under-represented groups are given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of triathlon.
Provide opportunities for all in coaching, officiating and leadership positions.
Consult with relevant groups and individuals about their needs and requirements.
Demonstrate that every effort has been made to enable everyone to participate and that inclusion has been the priority.
Encourage people to contact us to discuss their needs and requirements to facilitate inclusion.

The organisation commits to:

Ensure that our training and development policies, procedures and practices comply with this policy and do not discriminate intentionally or unintentionally against any group or individual.
Monitor our processes in terms of the nine protected characteristics and take action to address any inequalities.
Encourage equality and diversity in the sport.
Demonstrate a strong and public commitment to progressing towards achieving gender parity and greater diversity generally within Chester Triathlon Club.
To create a culture where all present and potential participants, members, coaches, competitors, officials, volunteers, spectators, and employees feel comfortable raising concerns of any forms of discrimination and that action and support will be provided in line with this policy.
Take seriously complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination by fellow employees, members, suppliers, visitors, the public and any others in the course of the organisations work activities.
Ensure that where appropriate members receive equality training for their role Create a working and sporting environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff and volunteers are recognised and valued.
Ensuring that Chester Triathlon Club members are treated fairly and that individuals are judged solely on merit.
Ensure that all contractors and service providers operating on behalf of Chester Triathlon Club are aware of this policy and expected to adhere it.
Ensure everyone is aware of our Equality and Diversity Policy and action plan which outline everyone’s responsibilities to respect and act in accordance with the policy and thereby support and promote the spirit and intentions of this policy.
Encourage our affiliated clubs, associations and members to adopt this policy.
Address any issues and take positive action to tackle under representation.

Reporting

To safeguard individual rights under this Policy any party within the triathlon community who believes they have suffered any form of discrimination or inequitable treatment may report the matter, anonymously to club officials or the Welfare Officer. Breaches of this policy by any party within the triathlon community will be dealt with in line with the Chester Triathlon Club Disciplinary Regulations and appropriate disciplinary action taken.
Chester Triathlon Club is committed to ensuring that individuals feel able to raise any grievance and no party within the triathlon community will be penalised for doing so unless it is untrue and not made in good faith.