Equal Opportunities

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Equal opportunities at the University of Essex,
Induction 19 September 2007
Ellen Sample Personnel Officer
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Policy Statement on Equal Opportunities

• The University of Essex, in conformity with the
  intention of its Charter, confirms its commitment
  to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities
  within the University.
• It aims to create the conditions whereby
  students and staff are treated solely on the
  basis of their merits, abilities and potential,

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The University Policy

• regardless of
• gender,
• colour,
• ethnic or national origin,
• age,
• socio-economic background,
• disability,
• religious or political beliefs and affiliations,
  family circumstances,
• sexual orientation
• or other irrelevant distinction.

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Policies

• The Universities equal opportunities policies can
  be found on the Equal Opportunities web site
  http//www.essex.ac.uk/eo/

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Policies

• Our policies and procedures for equality and
  diversity apply to all University campuses not
  just Colchester

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Southend
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E15
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The Law

• There is now a vast amount of legislation
  relating to discrimination, equal opportunities
  and harassment.
• This means that equal opportunities is not an
  option it is a legal requirement that gives us
  all both rights and responsibilities.

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The University Community

• Approximately 38 of our students are from
  outside the UK
• Many of our staff are from other countries or
  from diverse backgrounds
• Members of the community practice and follow many
  different faiths others follow no faith

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The University Community

• The University has a number of students and staff
  with disabilities
• The student age profile ranges from students of
  normally18 years old to retirement and beyond
• The staff age profile ranges from 16 to retirement

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Discrimination

• We are therefore a
• diverse,
• multinational
• and multicultural community.

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Discrimination

• Our equality policies and practices are designed
  to help us comply with legislation and to move
  towards a more equal community that welcomes and
  appreciates the benefits of diversity.
• Discrimination on any grounds is not acceptable.

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Discrimination

• If you feel you have been discriminated against
  or harassed you have the right to complain and
  complaints will be investigated

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Managing equality and diversity at the
University, the EDC

• The Equality and Diversity Committee

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Staff with a specific responsibility for Equality
and diversity at the University of Essex

• Sue Endean Director of Personnel Services
• Moira Collett Academic Registrar
• Syd Kent Equality and Diversity Officer
• Karen Stephenson Equality and Diversity
  Assistant
• Angela Jones Assistant Director of Student
  Support
• (Student disability matters)

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Staff with a specific responsibility for Equal
Opportunities at the University of Essex
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Harassment

• The University is committed to establishing an
  environment that is free from any form of
  harassment
• Guidelines for Dealing with Harassment

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Staff with responsibility for dealing with
harassment

• Heads of Departments/Heads of Sections
• Harassment Advisers
• Formal complaints are dealt with by
• The Registrar and Secretary (complaints about
  staff)
• The Proctor (complaints about students)

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Harassment Advisers

• If you are experiencing any form of harassment
  please do not hesitate to contact one of the
  advisers to arrange an interview.  Harassment
  Advisers are trained and appointed by the
  University.
• A list of current harassment advisers can be
  found at
• http//www.essex.ac.uk/eo/harassment/currentadvise
  rs.htm
• and on notice boards throughout the University

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• Confidential Harassment Contact Line  4334
• The Confidential contact line will be staffed
  during the normal working day and has a 24 hour
  message service.  Please remember if leaving a
  message on the line we need to have a contact
  number or address so that we can help.

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Equality and diversity courses

• E-Learning courses
• Recruitment and selection courses and briefings
• Harassment awareness briefings
• Disability training
• Equality and diversity awareness
• Working with international students

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Other formats

• If you would like a copy of the handout in any
  other format please contact the EO Unit on
• 2390 or equalopps_at_essex.ac.uk

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Equality and diversity unit

• Syd Kent Equality and Diversity Officer
  Phone2390

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Equality and diversity unit

• Karen Stephenson Equality Diversity
  Assistant.
• Phone 3507

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Equality and diversity unit

• E-mail equalopps_at_essex.ac.uk
• Web site http//www.essex.ac.uk/eo/

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Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy your time
at the University.