Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statement

Equal treatment - promoting inclusivity and valuing diversity - is one of the University’s core values. We are committed to the principle of equality of opportunity for all staff and students and to providing an environment where respect is shown to all and where individual employees and students are valued and supported in achieving their full potential. The University is opposed to any form of unfair discrimination and believes that an inclusive approach benefits all and enables everyone to contribute appropriately to our society.

The University embraces the spirit of all equalities legislation and codes of practice, ensures that all its policies and practices meet the requirement and intent of all relevant legislation and is committed to developing policies, practices and procedures which actively promote equality of opportunity and maximise the abilities, skills, and experience of staff, students and visitors to the University.

We seek to make the University an inclusive place to work and study and welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people at all stages of their life. Decisions related to the recruitment, employment, training, progression and retention of staff and to the recruitment, admissions, teaching, assessment, progression and retention of students are governed by the principles of equality of opportunity. All applicants to and members of the University community will be treated equally regardless of disability, gender ,(including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), the nature of close relationships, caring responsibilities, age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, membership of or activity in, a trade union, and spent offences where not relevant to the workplace.

The University recognises the importance of taking a proactive stance in the promotion of equal opportunities and the delivery of an inclusive environment and will take active steps to promote good practice. In particular it will:

Monitor the recruitment and progress of all students and staff by the main diversity strands and publish the results of that monitoring as part of the annual Diversity Report.

Ensure that all policies and procedures are fairly constructed and applied by undertaking equality impact assessments. If any evidence of differential impact is identified then the University will take steps to
- Remove discriminatory processes and procedures
- Modify processes and procedures in such a way as to prevent it reoccurring
Promote good relations between and amongst staff and students of all backgrounds
Promote an inclusive culture for work and study, and develop the skills required by staff and students to work effectively in a diverse environment, through guidance, training and awareness raising.
Involve and consult staff and students with regard to matters related to equal opportunities and diversity.
Ensure all staff and students are aware of the provisions of this document and other policies related to equality of opportunity and understand their rights and responsibilities under legislation and the University’s policies and codes of conduct.
Ensure that in all collaborative arrangements and partnerships and/or work with contractors and service providers the University communicates clearly the requirement that those organisations accept the duty to provide services and interact with students, staff and the public in the context of University policy and in keeping with the requirements of legislation.

Responsibilities

The Board of Governors are responsible for establishing and approving all equality policies and for monitoring their implementation.

The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for promoting the principles behind this statement and accompanying policies both inside and outside the institution and for ensuring that managers fulfil their role in delivering equality of opportunity within Oxford Brookes.

Deans and Directors, Heads of Department and managers are responsible for ensuring that equal opportunities and diversity are promoted within their School or Directorate and that all employees are aware of their responsibility not to discriminate unfairly . They are also responsible for ensuring that action is taken against staff or students who discriminate for reasons covered by equalities legislation.

All staff, students and visitors to the university have a responsibility to adhere to University policies supporting equality and diversity at all times. Staff have a personal responsibility to attend designated training sessions to ensure that they are aware of current University policies and legislation.

Supporting policies

For further information on policies and practices that support and reflect the University’s commitment to delivering equality of opportunity, please refer to the:

Students Charter available online or on request from the University’s Academic Registrar call +44 (0)1865 483128
Race Equality Policy, Disability Equality Scheme and Gender Equality Scheme available online or on request from the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Manager, call +44 (0) 1865 485929
Employment, Recruitment and Selection and Harassment and Bullying Policies and the Grievance, Disciplinary and Capability procedures available online
Maternity, Adoption and Parental Leave Policies and the Paternity, Maternity and Adoption Support Policy available online
Flexible Working, Special Leave, Compassionate, Domestic Emergency and Bereavement Leave Policies and the policy on Requests To Change Hours And Patterns Of Work available online