All things being equal
28 March 2012
Cardiff’s new Strategic Equality Plan was approved by Council in March 2012. Olymbia Petrou, Equality & Diversity Project Manager at the University tells us what we can expect to see in the plan.
“Following the implementation of the Equality Act in 2010 which asked us to consider ways of eliminating unlawful discrimination and harassment, advancing equality of opportunity, and to foster good relations between people, the University has developed a plan which not only complies with the law, but more importantly, shows our full commitment to equality and diversity.
“The Plan recognises that embedding equality and promoting benefits of diversity in everything we do is not only fundamental to meeting our legal, moral and ethical responsibilities, but crucial to fostering the kind of excellence and success which a world-class university aims to achieve, which is key to our academic, social and business success.
“It consolidates previous equality schemes for Race, Disability and Gender into a single cohesive plan, and incorporates the additional ‘Protected Characteristics’ of Age, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & Civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Religion or Belief and Sexual Orientation. These areas help us to deliver a more holistic approach to equality and achieve better outcomes for all. We have additionally included Welsh Language within our Plan to show our commitment to it.
“The Plan was developed by asking people what they wanted, collating and analysing equality evidence, and subsequently developing a four-year action plan which aims to make Cardiff University a better place to work and study. It identifies key priorities for achieving improved equality outcomes in a targeted and consistent way across the University.
“Included in the Plan are our aims for equality and diversity, an explanation of the law, our diversity profile showing basic equality information and arrangements for overseeing our equality work. We also developed an action plan which sets out six objectives and 83 equality actionsunder three overarching themes as follows:
OUR CULTURE: A culture based on dignity, courtesy and respect. | OUR STUDENTS & STAFF: An inspiring and enriching educational and working experience for students and staff. | OUR COMMUNITIES: Encouraging and supporting community cohesion. |
OBJECTIVE 1: To embed equality and diversity through training, awareness and communication. OBJECTIVE 2: To improve the monitoring and disclosure of protected characteristics.
| OBJECTIVE 3: To review, develop and implement supportive and inclusive policies, procedures, curriculum and physical environment. OBJECTIVE 4: To review and address under representation in recruitment, retention and progression/attainment of staff and students. OBJECTIVE 5: To review and address equality in staff pay and related structures. | OBJECTIVE 6: To promote external collaboration, widening access and communication, foster good relations and carry out engagement both internally and externally.
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“Equality and diversity is the responsibility of all our staff and students. With all of us making a positive difference and owning a part of the diversity ‘vision’, we can help and support the whole person and add value to bring out the best in ourselves and others.”
Posters on ‘Protected Characteristics’ and ‘Facts About Cardiff’ are available to all Schools and Directorates and can be downloaded using the hyperlinks. Further information about the Strategic Equality Plan is available from Catrin Morgan, Equality & Diversity Manager, GOVRN (MorganCA5@Cardiff.ac.uk, extension 70230).
For more information, go to the Positive Working Environment webpage.
