POA's commitment to diversity

Equal Opportunities Statement

1. The POA is absolutely committed to equal opportunities and opposes any display or act of discrimination or harassment and will challenge on grounds of gender, race, disability, sexuality, age, religion or any other relevant faction, ensuring that employees and union members under the Human Rights Act are fully protected.

2. The POA will ensure that it is regarded as an exemplary employer and Trade Union and aims to take a strategic lead in combating discrimination, promoting equality and opportunity.

3. The Association will recognise the contribution of all its staff, union members and will work positively to protect them from any form of discrimination or harassment whilst promoting zero tolerance.

4. The POA is absolutely committed to the law and accepts its responsibilities set out in the following,

Equal Pay Act 1970
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
Race Relations Act 1976 and amended Act 2000
Human Rights Act 1998
All other appropriate legislation and will not tolerate discriminatory behaviour by or against its employees or membership.

5. The Associations national and branch officials must deal promptly with complaints made by any member or employee regarding discrimination or harassment and ensure that all parties are supported, valued and advised appropriately.

6. The National Executive Committee must deal promptly with any complaint made by an employer against any member or employee regarding discrimination or harassment.

7. In accordance with its Rules and Constitution the Association shall have the power to discipline, dismiss, remove from office or expel any member or employee who following an enquiry has behaved in a manner which can be construed as harassment or discrimination.

8. The Association insists that diversity and equality training be available to all its members and be made mandatory by the Prison Service Agency, or any other management body responsible for the security, care and custody of any individual removed from society by the Crown.

9. The Association will establish processes to achieve change and monitor that progress to ensure we prevent discrimination, act when discrimination occurs and promote equality.

Race Relations Statement

1. The POA is absolutely committed to racial equality and opposes any display of racial prejudice and will challenge that prejudice to ensure employees and union members under the Human Rights Act are fully protected.

2. The Association will work positively to protect all its members and employees from racist or discriminatory behaviour, either by word or by conduct whilst promoting zero tolerance.

3. The POA is absolutely committed to the law and accepts it responsibilities to the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) "Codes of Practices" and any appropriate legislation, and will not tolerate discriminatory behaviour by, or, against union members or employees.

4. The Associations national and branch officials must deal promptly with complaints made by any member or employee regarding any racial incident ensuring that all parties are supported, valued and advised appropriately.

5. The National Executive Committee will deal appropriately with any complaint made by any individual against any member or employee regarding racist or discriminatory behaviour.

6. In accordance with its Rules and Constitution the Association shall have the power to discipline, dismiss, remove from office or expel any member or employee who following an inquiry has behaved in a manner which can be construed as racist, discriminatory or harassment.

7. The Association insists that race relations training be available to all its members and be made mandatory by the Prison Service Agency, or any other management body responsible for the security, care and custody of any individual removed from society by the Crown.

8. The Association will establish processes to achieve change and monitor that progress to ensure we prevent racist or discriminatory behaviour, act when discrimination occurs and promote racial equality.

POA Disability Advisory Committee Members

Steve Cox – Chair
Duncan Keys – Assistant Secretary
Steve Bostock – NEC
Andy Darken – NEC
Clare Hatfull – Elmley
Tony Henry – Hindley
John Grindle – Maidstone
Pete Chapple – Winchester
Tom Bowe – Manchester
Jeff Kelly – Highdown
Fred Bayliss – Stafford

Womens Consultative Committee Members

John Boddington – Chair
Duncan Keys – Secretary
Tom Robson - NEC
Giannina Maina - Broadmoor
Mandy Booth – Wakefield
Lisa Percy – Preston
Tina Wilson – Channings Wood
Thelma Dutton - Styal

Race Relations Advisory Committee

Steve Gillan – Chair
Duncan Keys – Secretary
Tom Robson – NEC
Sophie Fox – Cleland House
Mark Jameson – Wymott
Marco Franks – The Weare
Cass Graham – Nottingham
David Uduehi - Pentonville