Equality and Diversity Policy

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Otherwise Living (OL) is an equal opportunities organisation. This means that:

1. In all its activities, the co-operative will seek to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment for all persons.

2. No person or group of persons engaging with the co-operative in any way will be treated less favourably than any other person or group of persons because of their race, colour, ethnic or national origin, or because of their religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, gender reassignment, sex and sexual orientation, disability, appearance, or marital status. We also include people who are socially excluded, living in poverty or other structural disadvantage. In this document we refer to people in these categories as ‘disadvantaged’.

3. We will positively act against oppressive structures. This may include a wide range of activities, for example, providing space for disadvantaged groups.

4. As an employer, the co-operative will actively seek to employ staff from disadvantaged groups. Where necessary it will provide them with special training facilities to enable them to compete or qualify for positions in the co-operative. 

5. To help fulfil its commitment to equal opportunities, the co-operative will undertake an annual social audit, which will include data about the various equality strands and how well OL is able to act against discrimination.

6. We will not work with anyone who, to the best of our knowledge, discriminates against the groups named in point 2.

7. In hiring contractors and other agencies to work for it, the co-operative will be mindful of its commitment to equality of opportunity. A copy of this statement will go to everyone who works with us and will be made publicly available.

With thanks to Vine Co-op