Equality Impact Assessment

Equality Impact Assessment: Screening Form
The Equality Impact Assessment process is used to ensure that University Policies,
Procedures, Codes and Manuals, Services, Criterion and Practices comply with the
Equality Act 2010. Throughout this document the word ‘Policy’ will be used to refer to all
policies, practices and provisions included within this process.
Policy Sexual Orientation Action Plan 2011-2014
Name Department
Policy Owner Darren Mooney Human Resources
EQIA Assessor(s) Darren Mooney Human Resources
EQIA Contact: Darren Mooney Human Resources
Date of Assessment: D 1 2 M 0 9 Y 2 0 1 1
1. What is the aim, objective or purpose of the policy?
The Sexual Orientation Action Plan sets out the key objectives that the University aims to
implement to promote Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual equality at the University between 2011
and 2014. The action plan is structured into sections:
Institutional Planning & Processes
Employment
Student Experience
Communication & Engagement
Data & Monitoring
Stonewall
Training Support & Guidance
Staff & Student LGBT Networks
2. Who implements the policy?
The action plan is ‘owned’ by the Diversity & Equality Committee though is managed by
the Diversity & Equality Team in Human Resources. The activities outlined within the
plan are managed by the Diversity Team, but are implemented by various groups and
departments across the University.
YES
3. Is the policy applied uniformly throughout the university?
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4. What equality data have you used to assess the impact of the policy?
Outline your key findings:
The Action Plan has been developed taking into account the followings data:
Staff Sexual Orientation Profile
http://www.liv.ac.uk/hr/diversity_equality/documents/University_of_Liverpool_Staff
_Sexual_Orientation_31.1.2011.pdf
http://www.liv.ac.uk/hr/diversity_equality/documents/UoL_Staff_Diversity_Data_Ja
n_2011_FOR_PUBLICATION_FINAL.pdf
Staff Satisfaction Survey 2010
https://www.liv.ac.uk/intranet/excellence/staff-survey/index.htm
Stonewall Survey 2010 (see profile data above)
Stonewall Workplace Equality Index
Experiences of LGBT Staff & Students in Higher Education
Student & Staff Bullying & Harassment data
We will not outline the data here but they can be accessed through the University
website or via the Diversity & Equality Team.
5. What equality groups and stakeholders have you involved / consulted with
in the development of this policy? Outline your key findings:
The Action Plan has been developed in consultation with the LGBT Staff & Postgraduate
Student Network and the LGBT Student Society. This consultation involved online
questionnaire and responses via email. Focus groups were offered but were declined.
All undergraduate and postgraduate students were consulted via an all student email /
online questionnaire.
All staff were invited to participate through the online announcements system. This
consultation was carried out via an online questionnaire / email responses.
The departments/staff that are listed in the action plan have been individually consulted
on their content, timescale and outcome of their actions.
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6. From the data analysis and consultation processes, complete the table below stating if the Policy discriminates
against people, whether such discrimination is justifiable, and whether the policy is or can promote equality:
Put a YES / � / X in the relevant
boxes.
Age
Disability - Physical
Disability - SpLD
Disability - Mental Health
Gender Reassignment
Marriage & Civil Partnership
Pregnancy & Maternity
Race
Religious Belief and Non Belief
Sex
Direct
Indirect
Arising
from a
Disability
Types of Discrimination Promoting equality
Sexual Orientation X
Can the discrimination be justified?
Failure to make
a reasonable
adjustment
Harassment
Victimisation
Instructing,
inducing or
causing dis’ation
Does the policy
Promote Equality
Positive Action
Occupational
Requirement
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N/A
7. If the policy discriminates and it CAN be justified outline what this
justification is (include each justification):
8. If the policy can promote equality outline what this is:
The Action Plan sets out objectives to promote sexual orientation equality over the next 3
years. Some of the activities are based on meeting the requirements set out in the
Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, a equality promoting benchmark initiative. We will
not duplicate the action plan here, please refer to it directly.
9. If the policy includes Positive Action outline what this is, why it is being
used and justify its use:
The action plan does not include any specific positive action initiatives as defined by the
Equality Act 2010.
N/A
10. If the policy includes an Occupational Requirement outline what this is, why
it is being used and justify its use:
11. What data are required in the future to ensure effective monitoring?
The action plan is annually reviewed by the Diversity & Equality Team and reported to
the Diversity & Equality Committee. As part of this process the following data is revied:
Staff Sexual Orientation profile
Student Sexual Orientation profile (where this exists)
Student & Staff Complaints/Disciplinarily data
Bullying & Harassment Advisor cases
Stonewall Workplace equality index position
Stonewall Staff Survey
Staff Satisfaction Survey
In terms of specific actions, the Diversity Team will measure the success of actions as
outlined in the outcomes column of the action plan.
12. Any other comments on the policy
The Action Plan may be amended to take into account new data and feedback from the
Staff and Student LGBT groups.
13. What actions are required to be taken for this policy to comply with the
Equality Act 2010? (if any)
4

None
14. Potential for differential impact? (Tick)
None X
Low
Medium
High
NB. If High or Medium, a full impact assessment is required
15. Are the policy and the impact assessment approved? YES NO
Date EQIA Approved: 28 th November 2011
Person/Group which approved it: Diversity & Equality Committee
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