Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Ardent Theatre Company (ATC) is committed to promoting and implementing practices that support equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion. This policy should be read in tandem with the Dignity at Work policy.
Purpose
ATC endorses the artistic and ethical case for equality, diversity and inclusion. The company recognises the detrimental effect of inequality on the cultural, social and political life of the nation.
Furthermore, ATC believe that systematic practices of discrimination need positive action taken in order to ensure hidden or institutionalised discriminatory practices can be tackled. This includes looking at ATC’s own practice as a theatre company which aims to shine a positive light on and give voice to marginalised individuals and communities.
Shared Context
ATC recognises and endorses the social definition of disability namely that it is societal barriers which disable and not an individual’s difference or impairment that is the disability. Our stance is aligned to Disability Rights UK
ATC recognises and affirms that Black Lives Matter and endorses the stance taken by the Black Lives Matter movement that “it is a human right to receive racial equality, social and criminal justice in the societies we live and share and to receive parity as full citizens of the country and as a nation.”
ATC recognises the emerging transgender discourse and stands in line with Unison to promote trans-equality and endorses the Transgender Workers Rights as outlined in the Unison Fact Sheet and Transgender Policies at Work guidance
Policy Aims
The aim of this policy is to ensure that all employees, contracted artists and other service providers, volunteers, members and/or service users both actual and potential, are treated equally and as individuals regardless of age, disability, ethnic or national origin, sex or gender, marital or parental status, political belief, race, religion or sexual orientation. These are defined as Protected Characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
In addition, ATC recognises the importance of supporting social-mobility and tackling issues of socio-economic disadvantage and marginalisation within the arts and aligns itself with the appropriate actions outlined in the Arts Council England Guide to producing Equality Action Objectives and Plans for NPOs whilst not being limited solely to the actions identified by the Arts Council.
ATC recognises the complexities of differing marginalised, disadvantaged and discriminated against groups; balancing needs from these groups may involve seeking further advice and guidance from the parties involved as well as experts in the field such as Unison or ACAS.
ATC is committed to undertaking open audition, recruitment and selection procedures wherever possible and appropriate. All opportunities will be advertised and fair and equitable shortlisting and interview/audition processes will be followed.
Casual, temporary and permanent employees as well as volunteers of ATC must be apprised of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and should act in accordance or risk the termination of the contract.
ATC may from time to time take positive action to remedy inequality where this is permissible by law and proportionate to the policy objective.
ATC operates disciplinary and grievance procedures of which all staff are apprised. Behaviour or actions against the spirit and/or letter of the equal opportunity laws on which this policy is based will be considered serious disciplinary matters. All complaints will be investigated.
Copies of this policy will be freely available to volunteers, staff and any other interested parties. A copy will be displayed on our website.
ATC affirms its commitment moving forward to providing training to trustees and volunteers on cultural awareness, disability awareness and other subjects that will develop from equality, diversity and inclusion.
Actions
Ardent Theatre Company will:
Launch a 5-year action plan in April 2022 focused on increasing diversity and inclusion with benchmarking, monitoring and feedback processes in place
Review this action plan annually and adapt actions as necessary
Ensure all rehearsal and performance spaces are accessible, inviting and safe for all members of the community
Challenge discrimination or oppressive behaviour from and/or towards any employees, contracted artists and other service providers, volunteers, members and/or service users we work with
Work in a way that recognises people’s individual needs
Regularly evaluate this policy in line with other ATC policies and seek feedback regarding its effectiveness.
How will we know we are getting things right?
Our annual policy review will have demonstrable and clear evidence of actions taken to increase diversity within the arts.
Areas of development will be rigorously identified and future prompt but appropriate actions identified.
We will ask for more guidance and take actions in the light of the ‘outsider’ voices who respond.