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I > Equal Opportunities Policy
The
following Equal Opportunity statement was adopted at General Assembly in
1994. The word "age"
was added at i) at General Assembly 1998.
a)
The Church affirms in its Basis of Union that "all ministries
shall be open to both men and women".
At General Assembly in 1987 it adopted a Declaration on Racism and
in 1990 adopted a Declaration of Equal Opportunities Policy in relation to
ministers.
b)
This policy is not a statement of what the Church has already
achieved; it is a declaration of the way it intends to move forward at all
levels and in all aspects of its life within the limitations of its
resources. In particular, it
is an aid to appointing the most suitable people to all positions of
responsibility within the Church, disregarding irrelevant considerations;
it does not oblige the Church as employer or otherwise to make
appointments of people other than those most capable of fulfilling the
responsibilities.
General Assembly declares:-
i)
The Church will behave as an "equal opportunity organisation"
and not discriminate on grounds of race, gender, disability, or age.
ii)
The Church works to combat racism, sexism and prejudice against
people with disabilities and is committed to positive action rather than
containing the issues.
iii)
The Church is aware of possible barriers, for example, to women,
black people and people with disabilities, within the structures of the
Churches, in ministry and in other posts: this has to do with
expectations, position, role and status.
iv)
The Church will therefore establish appropriate methods of
monitoring the appointment, call, representation and position of women,
black people and people with disabilities in the Church, and take
appropriate action where necessary.
Each
employee has an individual responsibility for the successful operation of
the Equal Opportunity Policy. Discrimination
will not be tolerated by the United Reformed Church as employer.
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