ASM Equality & Diversity Policy

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Demonstrate the company’s commitment to equality of opportunity for existing and potential employees, by promoting a work environment free from discrimination in the following areas: gender, marital status, family status, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age and member of the Traveller community.
• Demonstrate ASM’s commitment to ensuring equality for its clients including learners who attend our training programmes.

2.0 Context

The overall context for the development of this policy is within the framework of the Irish equality legislation, namely:

The Equal Status Acts 2000 – 2018 prohibit discrimination (including sexual harassment and harassment, and victimisation) in access to and the provision of goods and services, accommodation and educational establishments. The Acts apply to all ASM services under the nine grounds of discrimination:

Nine Grounds of Discrimination:

• Gender (male/female/transgender)
• Marital status (single, married, separated, divorced or widowed)
• Family status (parent, person in loco parentis of children or primary carer of person needing continuous care)
• Age
• Sexual orientation
• Religious belief
• Disability
• Race (race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins)
• Membership of the Travelling Community

and also requires the provision of reasonable accommodation for customers with disabilities.

The Employment Equality Acts 1998 – 2015 apply to ASM staff and business activities. In relation to the ASM training department, in addition to prohibiting discrimination (including sexual harassment and harassment, and victimisation) in access to and the provision of training across the nine grounds (outlined above), the Acts require the provision of appropriate measures for people with disabilities in relation to access, participation and training.

3.0 Scope

This policy applies to all present employees (temporary and permanent), all potential employees, all independent contractors, tutors providing services ASM including our customers (individual learners and client companies).

4.0 Policy

For Employees:

• The Company is committed to equal opportunity of employment and all employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. All employment related decisions will not be influenced of affected by an employee’s race, colour, nationality, religion, sex, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, age or membership of the Traveller community. Implied in all the company’s contracts of employment is a commitment to equal pay for like work. The company fully endorses a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment.
• The company will strive for recruitment, employment, training and promotion practices and policies that are free of barriers, both systemic and deliberate, that directly or indirectly discriminate against people. This includes those with disabilities, members of racial minorities, women, and all other protected groups.
• Training, experience. and promotional opportunities are open to all employees of the company. All decisions made will be based on employees’ existing skills, knowledge and attitude required to perform the job effectively and efficiently, to the standards required by the company both now and for the future.
• All employees with similar job descriptions or performing similar functions/roles within this company will be treated equally with regard to all aspects of their terms of employment, i.e. working conditions, selection for short term working, transfers, procedures for disciplinary measures and termination of employment.
• It is the responsibility of every Manager in this company to support and communicate the Equality and Diversity Policy. Managers must encourage open discussion with their employees to identify and resolve problem areas. All employees in turn must accept their personal responsibility to comply with this policy. This includes always maintaining acceptable standards of behaviour towards all colleagues and customers alike. It is also the responsibility of every Manager to highlight to his/her team members.
• Employees are encouraged to raise questions or concerns about the type of discrimination in the workplace and are advised to bring these issues to the attention of their immediate manager or Director. The company assures its employees that any concerns or reports made will be without fear of reprisal. An employee engaging in any form of discrimination will be subject to the disciplinary action up to and including termination.

For Customers:

ASM will seek to ensure that its services:

• Are free from discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment and victimisation.
• Are accessible and relevant.
• Accommodate diversity across the nine grounds covered by the equality legislation.
• Make reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities.

ASM will ensure that:

• All customers, service providers and employees are treated with respect and dignity and can perform their duties with/for ASM in an environment that promotes and upholds dignity and respect.
• Customer complaints are dealt with in as fair, sensitive, timely and confidential a manner as possible.

5.0 RESPONSIBILITY

All employees, independent contractors, instructors are responsible for maintaining and adhering to this policy.

6.0 REFERENCES

Employment Equality Acts 1998 – 2015
Equal Status Acts 2000 – 2018

Approved By: Eamonn Horgan
Position: Director
Date: 20/05/2021