Finn Harps FC Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Policy

Finn Harps Football Club is responsible for setting the standards, expectations and values in relation to equality, inclusion and diversity in the club.

Football is for everyone.

It should be enjoyed and belong to anyone who wants to participate in it whether as a coach, official, player, staff, a member or a fan.

The aim of Finn Harps Football Club’s Equality & Inclusion Policy is to promote our own equality objectives and in doing so help to ensure that everyone is treated with fair treatment and respect.

All Finn Harps Football Club members involved in the club should adhere and abide to this policy and to the legal requirements of the Equality Act 1998. Once we do this we are working towards being legally compliant in relation to equality legislation.

Finn Harps Football Club will ensure that it treats everyone fairly and with respect and provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in and enjoy all club activities.

Every staff member, board member, fans and officials of visiting teams can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and equality will be respected and be able to watch football in an environment without any threat of harassment, abuse, intimidation or victimisation.

Complaints and Compliance

Finn Harps Football Club regards all forms of discriminatory behaviour included in this policy as unacceptable and are happy to ensure that all individuals feel able to raise any complaints related to such behaviour without fear of being penalised for doing so.

Finn Harps Football Club is committed to the investigation of any allegation when it is brought to their attention. Any complaints can be reported to any club official in the club.

Appropriated disciplinary action will be taken against any employee, member, volunteer, fan or spectator who is found after a full investigation to have violated the Equality Policy.

Discriminatory Descriptions

Direct Discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favorably than another person because of a protected characteristic. Direct discrimination also includes discrimination because a person is wrongly thought to have a particular protected characteristic or is treated as if they do.

Indirect Discriminaton occurs where the effect of certain requirements, provisions or practices imposed by an organisation has an adverse impact on one group or other. This occurs when a rule or condition, which applied equally to everyone, can be met by a considerably smaller proportion of people from a particular group, the rule is to their advantage and it cannot be justified on other grounds.

Arising from Disability occurs when a disabled person is treated unfavourably because of something connected with their disability and this unfavourable treatment cannot be justified. Treatment can be justified if it can be shown that it is intended to meet a legitimate objective in a fair, balanced and reasonable way. If this is shown, then the treatment can be lawful. This form of discrimination can occur only if the club (or person from the club) knows or can reasonably be expected to know that the disabled person is disabled.

Harassment can be described as inappropriate actions, behaviours, comments or physical contact, which may cause office i.e. mental or physical anxiety or hurt to an individual. It may be related to gender, gender reassignment, race, disability, sexuality, age, religion or nationality.

Dignity is about respectful, responsible, fair and humane behaviour, something that is reflected in the constitution.

Prejudice is literally pre-judging someone. It is normally led by negative, irrational feelings, resulting from preconceived attitudes and opinions.

Social exclusion is when people or areas suffer from one or a combination of linked problems such as employment, poor skills, low income, high crime environment or lack of facilities.

Education Plan

We plan to educate everyone at our club on our policy and make sure they know what our policy entails and complaints procedures we have in place. We will also look at workshops being held including anti-discrimination training being provided to all staff, board members, volunteers and coaches in the club.

Our volunteers, board, club staff & officials, stewards and everyone in the club will all be aware of this and will be updated should any changes occur at any time throughout the course of the year.

 

 

Ian Harkin

Chairperson

Finn Harps FC