Governance
Overview of our governance policies
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What is equality?
Equality is about creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Equality is the underlying principle which entitles everyone to freedom from unfair discrimination. The emphasis of good equalities practice is to provide an environment which encourages positive attitudes to difference and equal opportunities for all.
Our Equality Commitment
All members of the University’s community including staff, students, visitors and contractors have a responsibility to treat others fairly and respectfully regardless of the characteristics which may define their identity.
These include the legally protected characteristics which are: Age, Disability, Gender reassignment, Marriage and Civil partnership, Pregnancy and maternity, Race, Religion or belief (including lack of belief), Sex and Sexual orientation.
The University has committed to provide a working and learning environment founded on dignity, respect and equity where discrimination of any kind is treated with the utmost seriousness.
Equality and diversity plan
The Equality and Diversity Plan describes how Arts University Bournemouth aims to advance its moral, social and legal obligations to put equalities at the heart of every area of activity. The plan is intended to ensure that every member of the University’s community is treated fairly and respectfully regardless of the characteristics that may define their identity. It seeks to do more than simply ‘promote’ equalities and is focused on outcomes and real progress.
If you require any document from this site in an alternative format, or you would like to find out more about our equalities provision, please contact: equalities@aub.ac.uk
Public sector equality duty
The Equality Act 2010 has brought with it a new, legal, Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) requiring Higher Education Institutions to declare their compliance with the duty on an annual basis. This means that AUB must show compliance with both the general and specific duties of the PSED.
For the general duty we need to show how we're having due regard to the need to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010;
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it;
- foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
Protected characteristics – in the context of PSED – are defined as:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- pregnancy and maternity
- race – this includes ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality
- religion or belief – this includes lack of belief
- sex (male & female)
- sexual orientation.
It also applies to marriage and civil partnership, but only in respect of the requirement to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination.
For the specific duty AUB is required to:
- publish information to demonstrate compliance with the general duty annually
- publish data on the make up of the workforce
- publish one or more equality objectives covering a 4 year period.
You can find further information on the Equality Act on Gov.uk.
