Equality and Diversity Policy

 

Planet English is developed by IQBar Limited and follows the same ethos as IQBar Limited. We take great pride in having established a culture that is built upon a set of integrated values. The purpose of the Planet English course is to provide teaching, guidance and encourage learning. We are a community which embraces diversity and requires consideration, acceptance, and courtesy in all behaviour. We expect all students and staff to show respect for one another in all aspects of their contact and will enforce the standards documented in this policy.

 

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

 

IQBar Limited and Planet English are committed to formally encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion in our students and staff. The aim is for our staff and students to be truly representative of all sections of society and for each person to feel respected and able to give their best.

 

The policy’s purpose is to:

 

• provide equality, fairness, and respect for all in Planet English and IQBar Limited, whether students, paid members of staff or independent contractors working for us;

• not unlawfully discriminate in terms of the UK 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 sexual orientation;

• oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination.

 

IQBar Limited commits to:

 

• Encourage equality, diversity, and inclusion in Planet English and IQBar Limited as they are good practice and make business sense;

• Create a learning 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 students are recognised and valued;

• This commitment includes training managers and all other employees and independent contractors about their rights and responsibilities under the equality, diversity, and inclusion policy;

• All staff should understand that they, as well as their employer or client, can be held liable for acts of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, in the course of their employment or consultancy agreement, against fellow employees, independent contractors and students;

• Take seriously complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination by employees, independent contractors and students in the courses of Planet English and IQBar Limited’s work activities;

• Such acts will be dealt with as misconduct under Planet English and IQBar Limited’s grievance and/or disciplinary procedures, and appropriate action will be taken. Particularly serious complaints could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal or termination without notice;

• Further, sexual harassment may amount to both an employment rights matter and a criminal matter, such as in sexual assault allegations. In addition, harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – which is not limited to circumstances where harassment relates to a protected characteristic – is a criminal offence;

• Decisions concerning staff, independent contractors and students being based on merit (apart from in any necessary and limited exemptions and exceptions allowed under the Equality Act);

• Review practices and procedures when necessary to ensure fairness, and also update them and the policy to take account of changes in the law;

• Monitor the make-up of the workforce and student body regarding information such as age, sex, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and disability in encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion, and in meeting the aims and commitments set out in the equality, diversity and inclusion policy;

• Monitoring will also include assessing how the equality, diversity and inclusion policy, and any supporting action plan, are working in practice, reviewing them annually, and considering and taking action to address any issues.

 

Breaches of this policy:

 

You must not unlawfully discriminate against or harass other people including current and former students, staff, job applicants, clients, customers, suppliers and visitors. This applies in the learning environment, outside the learning environment (when dealing with customers, suppliers or other work-related contacts, and on work-related trips or events including social events).

 

The following forms of discrimination are prohibited under this policy and are unlawful:

 

• Direct discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of a Protected Characteristic;

• Indirect discrimination: a provision, criterion or practice that applies to everyone but adversely affects people with a particular Protected Characteristic more than others, and is not justified;

• Harassment: this includes sexual harassment and other unwanted conduct related to a Protected Characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating someone's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them;

• Victimisation: retaliation against someone who has complained or has supported someone else's complaint about discrimination or harassment;

• Disability discrimination: this includes direct and indirect discrimination, any unjustified less favourable treatment because of the effects of a disability, and failure to make reasonable adjustments to alleviate disadvantages caused by a disability.

 

Breaches of this policy:

 

• We take a strict approach to breaches of this policy, which will be dealt with in accordance with our disciplinary procedures. Serious cases of deliberate discrimination may amount to gross misconduct resulting in immediate suspension of services, dismissal or termination;

• If you believe that you have suffered discrimination you can raise the matter by Contacting Us. Complaints will be treated in confidence and investigated as appropriate;

• You must not be victimised or retaliated against for complaining about discrimination. However, making a false allegation deliberately and in bad faith will be treated as misconduct and dealt with under our disciplinary procedure.

 

Planet English’s Equality and Diversity Policy is fully supported by the Senior Management Team of IQBar Limited and the Planet English Team.

Planet English’s Equality and Diversity Policy is monitored and reviewed annually.