The Magic Circle Equality and Diversity Policy

Preface

The Equality Act 2010 combined previous legislation on race and gender into a new act of parliament which set out nine ‘protected characteristics’ under UK law.

It states: “The following characteristics are protected characteristics— age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation”

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/pdfs/ukpga_20100015_en.pdf, page 16

Following the list above the Act details the specifics included under each of these categories.

The policy detailed herein uses the list of protected characteristics in full. The Magic Circle may expand the list of characteristics to include additional characteristics but the minimum set is as detailed in UK law.

Note

• “Society”, “Our society” refers to the wider UK society, society in general.
• “Our organisation” refers to The Magic Circle.

Statement of Intent

1. The Magic Circle recognises that, within society, power is not held equally and that groups and individuals have been, and continue to be, discriminated against on many grounds including but not limited to those covered by the protected characteristics listed in section 1. It is our intention that The Magic Circle will work to correct this within our organisation through initiatives such as this policy.

2. The Magic Circle also recognises that where direct or indirect discrimination occurs within our organisation, it is both morally and legally unacceptable. It is our intention to encourage our members to speak out against such behaviour, and take appropriate action, including (but not limited to) through our disciplinary procedures, to eradicate it.
3. The intention of the Equality and Diversity Policy is to set out clearly how The Magic Circle intends to take action to combat direct and indirect discrimination in our organisation, in the services it provides and in its relationships with other bodies.

4. In adopting this Equality and Diversity Policy, it is the intention of The Magic Circle to also make an unequivocal commitment to implementing it, so as to ensure that equal opportunity becomes a reality.

Code of Practice

5. The Magic Circle will take action to ensure that member activities and events are open and welcoming to everybody entitled to be a member.

6. We aim to make our meetings and events accessible to people with disabilities – for example (but not limited to) to meet in accessible premises, provide sign language interpreters when requested, and produce information in large print or Braille.

7. We aim to use local training opportunities to help our Council and members better understand how discrimination occurs and how to prevent it.

8. We aim to showcase the diversity of our industry through the performances we present to the public, the programme we arrange for our club nights, and the articles we publish in our official publications.

9. All members of The Magic Circle will have the Equality and Diversity Policy explained to them. All members will undertake to comply with and implement this policy.

10. Members who have experienced discrimination can choose to make a complaint, either informal or formal, and anonymously if preferred, to Council either directly or via a Council Member.

11. If the Council Member is unable to resolve a complaint informally to the complainant’s satisfaction, they will assist the member in referring it to the Council formally.

Code of Conduct

12. People on The Magic Circle premises will be treated with dignity and respect regardless of the characteristics listed in Section 1.

13. At all times members should strive to show respect to each other, and to all visitors to The Magic Circle HQ and its staff. Derogatory language should not be used, for example (but not limited to) terminology which is dismissive to someone with a disability.

14. No one should be harassed, bullied or intimidated. Incidents of harassment will be taken seriously.

Dealing with Complaints

15. The Council will take complaints of discrimination and harassment under this policy very seriously.

16. The Council will investigate complaints thoroughly, and provide opportunities for the person making the complaint to speak in a safe environment about their experience.

17. If the complaint is against a particular individual, the Council will also hear their point of view.

18. The Council will decide the action to take based on the principle of ensuring the continued inclusion and safety of any member who has experienced discrimination or harassment.

19. Any decision to discipline a member will always be made in line with the Constitution of The Magic Circle, rule 3.9

Adoption and Review

20. This policy will be reviewed every 2 years by Council.

21. This policy was formally adopted by Council on October 11th 2017