Equal Opportunities Policy

HEJ Athletic Football Club is committed to the equal treatment of all members and requires all members, of whatever level or authority, to abide by this principle and by the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and the guidance and codes of practice issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination because of the following protected characteristics: 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 sexual orientation.

Specifically, the following are prohibited within the club:

  • Direct discrimination – treating any individual less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic.
  • Indirect discrimination – applying a rule, condition or requirement that applies to everyone but which puts people with a particular protected characteristic at a disadvantage, and which cannot be justified by the requirements of the role or activity.
  • Harassment – unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic which violates someone’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
  • Victimisation – treating someone badly because they have made, or supported, a complaint of discrimination.
  • Any other act or omission which has the effect of disadvantaging one member against another, or others, purely on the above grounds.

In all the club’s recruitment, selection, promotion and training processes, as well as disciplinary matters – in other words, every situation where those in charge are required to make judgements between members – it is essential that merit, experience, skills and temperament are considered as objectively as possible.

HEJ Athletic Football Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination and, where discrimination is found to have taken place, requires that the practice stop immediately, that any damage or loss is put right where necessary, and that any member responsible is dealt with under the club’s disciplinary procedure.

The club is committed to welcoming disabled members and will make reasonable adjustments, wherever possible, so that disabled people can take part in all aspects of club life on the same basis as other members. Appropriate support and training will be provided to members who request it.

Any member who feels they have been discriminated against should follow our Complaints Procedure.