HCR Equal Opportunities Policy

Introduction

Humanity Care Relief (HCR)

ACCEPTS that in society certain groups or individuals may face inequality on the grounds of race, gender, marital status, caring responsibilities, disability, age, social class, religion/belief, or any other factor irrelevant to the purpose in view.

WELCOMES the statutory requirements laid down in:

The Equal Pay Act 1970;

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974;

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975;

The Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000;

The NHS Community Care Act 1990;

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995;

The Asylum & Immigration Act 1996;

The Human Rights Act 1998;

The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003;

The Equality Act 2010.

RECOGNISES that it has moral and social responsibilities beyond the provisions of the above-mentioned Acts and Regulations. HCR supports and contributes to the wider process of change through all aspects of its work and practices to eliminate discrimination and promote equality and diversity.

IS COMMITTED to taking positive steps to ensure that:

All individuals are treated with dignity and respect, valuing the diversity of all;

Equality of opportunity and diversity is actively promoted;

Services are accessible, appropriate, and delivered fairly to all;

The composition of employees, volunteers, and management reflects, as far as possible, the broad diversity of the community;

Traditionally disadvantaged groups are encouraged to participate in policy decisions about, and the management of, the services provided.

Policy

This policy applies to all Trustees, staff, volunteers, management committee members, users, and the general public.

Commitment

Equality and diversity are central to the work of Humanity Care Relief.

HCR will treat all people with dignity and respect, valuing the diversity of all. It will promote equality of opportunity and diversity. It will eliminate all forms of discrimination on grounds of race, gender, marital status, caring responsibilities, disability, age, social class, religion/belief, irrelevant offending background, or any other factor irrelevant to the purpose in view.

HCR will tackle social exclusion, inequality, discrimination, and disadvantage.

To be successful, it is essential that everyone is committed to and involved in delivering this policy. HCR’s goal is to work towards a just society free from discrimination, harassment, and prejudice. This will be embedded in all its policies, procedures, day-to-day practices, and external relationships.

Aims

Humanity Care Relief aims to:

Provide services that are accessible according to need;

Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in volunteering, employment, and development;

Create effective partnerships with all parts of our community.

Objectives

HCR’s objectives are to:

Sustain, regularly evaluate, and continually improve its services to ensure equality and diversity principles and best practices are embedded in our performance to meet the needs of individuals and groups;

Work together with the community to provide accessible and relevant service provision that responds to service users’ needs;

Ensure staff, volunteers, and trustees are representative of the community served and that employment policies are fair and robust;

Respond to volunteers’ and employees’ needs and encourage their development to increase their contribution to effective service delivery;

Recognise and value the differences and individual contributions that all people make to HCR;

Challenge discrimination and promote inclusivity;

Ensure fair resource allocation;

Be accountable and transparent in its operations.

Why Have This Policy?

Humanity Care Relief recognises, respects, and values diversity among its Trustees, employees, volunteers, and service users.

This policy exists because HCR is a people-led organisation that must always ensure it meets the needs of the community through fair and appropriate employment and development of the people who work and volunteer for HCR.

Procedures

Responsibility for Implementation

This policy covers the behaviour of all people employed or volunteering in HCR or using its services and sets out the way they can expect to be treated in turn by HCR. The overall responsibility for ensuring adherence to and implementation of this policy lies with the Trustees, staff, and the management committee.

Method of Implementation

HCR intends to implement this policy by:

Making it a condition of paid employment in HCR;

Ensuring that Trustees, management committee members, volunteers, and users are made aware of, understand, agree with, and are willing to implement this policy. All staff and volunteers will receive a copy of this policy as part of their induction;

Actively encouraging Trustees, staff, management committee members, and volunteers to participate in anti-discriminatory training, with time and resources allocated for such training;

Monitoring the services, publicity, and events provided by HCR to ensure they are accessible to all sections of the population and do not discriminate, taking active steps to ensure representative participation.

Monitoring and Reviewing

HCR is committed to establishing, developing, implementing, and reviewing a policy of equality of opportunity. Effective record-keeping, monitoring, and acting on gathered information are essential to measure effectiveness and plan progress. The management committee will review the policy annually.

This policy ensures that HCR maintains its commitment to promoting a fair, inclusive, and diverse environment for all its stakeholders.

Save Lives with Your Sadaqah & Zakat

We are a UK-based international relief and development charity. Inspired by Islamic teachings of empathy, generosity, and selflessness, we focus on alleviating poverty and suffering across the world. We operate a 100% Zakat Policy, which means every single penny of your Zakat will go to the victims of poverty, wars, and natural disasters.

Before you support our Food Appeal, Water Appeal, Gaza Emergency Appeal, Syria Emergency Appeal, Pakistan Floods Appeal, or any Emergency Appeal, remember to make the intention that you are donating for the sake of Allah first and helping your fellow Muslim brothers and sisters second. This is very important because as Muslims, whatever act of worship we do, we do it for the sake of Allah.

Along with our emergency appeals, we are working on some amazing projects which will, Insha’Allah, bring prosperity to many Muslim homes from around the world. Donate your Sadaqah and Zakat to our projects like Build a Masjid, Livelihoods for the Poor, Sponsor a Widow, Sponsor an Orphan, Sponsor a Nikah, Donate a Sewing Machine, or help educate the Ummah by donating towards education projects, Sponsoring a Hafiz, Sponsoring a Child in Education, or supporting young people in university and Islamic education. Donate with confidence, Insha’Allah, every penny of your donation is your Amanah, and we will try our best to spend it on people who are in need.

Every year, we as Muslims celebrate two seasons the most: one, Ramadan, and two, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. During these blessed days, we put all our efforts into pleasing Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى by performing good deeds. Here at HCR, we provide you with the platform to perform an important act of worship: charity. In Ramadan, you can donate to the Ramadan Food Appeal, and Ramadan Zakat Appeal, Donate Your Fidyah, Donate Your Fitrana, and Pay Your Kaffarah for Breaking Oath or Breaking Fast, especially during the blessed nights of Laylatul Qadr. In Dhul Hijjah, we are here to help fulfil your duty of performing Qurbani. Whichever cause you choose, choose it with confidence. Insha’Allah.