1 Purpose Of Our Policy

This policy represents a commitment to a common set of values and objectives

Our policy ensures transparency, assists in the performance of this duty.

We have used the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010 Regulations 2011 (Which requires public authorities, to publish, quality objectives, and to provide information to demonstrate compliance with the public sector equality.)

We are committed to advancing and achieving equality of opportunity for all.  We believe that bread that nourishes is a fundamental human right and we believe that everyone is entitled to equality of opportunity.  We have even named our bread as Diversity Bread ®

All team members, club members and students are responsible for the promotion and advancement of this policy. Any behaviour, actions or conversation that transgress the policy will not be allowed and will be subject to our Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.

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2 Roles and responsibilities

3 Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion  

3 Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• The Sourdough School is committed to:
• Promoting equality and diversity in all our policies, procedures and guidelines
• Delivering high quality Baking as Lifestyle Medicine Knowledge that meets the diverse needs of our students, and members.
• Ensuring anyone with a protected characteristic as described within the Equality Act 2010 and does not experience discrimination
• Foster good relations across all characteristics, between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

3. 1 How we encourage openness, fairness, and transparency

6 ways we encourage openness, fairness, and transparency

1. We do our utmost, within available resources, to remove any barriers which limit or discourage access to The Sourdough School or club.
2. We take effective action immediately to provide information and encouragement and support to individuals and groups whose may been limited be stereotyping or using cultural misconceptions.
3. We ask that all our team members follow policies and procedures that are fair, transparent and in line with our culture and ethos, and our legal and statutory responsibilities.
4. We ask that we ensure our communications are fair and polite, but we point out wherever possible any decisions, behaviours and actions align with our ethical leadership framework, in a supportive non conformational way.
5. We try to actively advance equality of opportunity
   We create recipes and approaches to our recipes that celebrates a diverse society
   Our community promotes good relations.
6. At all times we eliminate all forms of unfair indirect and direct discrimination, bullying, harassment, by having an open policy we hope that we can set any misunderstandings straight as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary distress.

The policy applies to all and underpins all The School and Club policies and procedures.

3.2 Supporting Neurodiversity

Encouraging people to bring their whole, authentic self to work and school, with the knowledge that we value difference and diversity. As Vanessa is neurodiverse, we have an open policy of sharing this information, as challenges from ASD, ADHD symptoms and dyslexia, are given support,

Avoiding Ableism Through Organizational Education

In order to be inclusive of those with less visible disabilities, we ensure that we have an open policy of disability awareness and make sure that we show sensitivity to all team members.  We do not tolerate ableist language choices that may unconsciously discriminate against team members with disabilities.

To avoid accidental ableism and increase accommodation, we try at every opportunity to educate our team members and out suppliers and community (individually and collectively) on some of the most common misperceptions about disabilities.

Flexible working

Mental fatigue and ability to focus certain times of day may be an issue for those identifying as neurodiverse.  We record our live sessions so they can catch up when they are ready, and wherever possible we allow people to self- schedule around their optimal times of productivity as we know this is of great benefit.

We Encourage Screen Breaks and taking time out

We are very fortunate to have Arlo who is Vanessa’s Service dog and so while screen breaks and check ins are important to reduce risks for all team members, for any individual with autism and/ or ADHD, the potential risk is increased. Hyperfocus for these neurotypes lead to overworking and so one of Arlo’s jobs is specifically to encourage Vanessa and anyone else at The Sourdough School to step away from the screen, walk outside get some sunshine and fresh air, and some gentle exercise and he helps to limit consecutive work hours may reduce future risk of burnout.

Sensory overload

The Sourdough School environment is very calm.  The colours and pallet, textures and light have been created over many years to provide a soft light, and a quiet environment that reduces sensory overload.  This is particularly designed to create a peaceful space for anyone with sensory overload, we find that everyone who spends time here feels that this is a magical environment that promotes a relaxed atmosphere.

We also ask our students to bring a non-bright colour apron and avoid wherever possible colours that overload the senses.

3.3 Support for Women

Women

A proactive approach to makes sure everyone feels supported, including women doing the courses and team members.

Mindful of Menopause

We are committed to supporting women during menopause

The things that make The Sourdough School a menopause friendly workplace

Open conversations to help raise awareness and understanding of the menopause and its symptoms and addressing any stigma.

1. A workplace that empowers anyone to ask for support.
2. Flexible working available to allow time out
3. A flexible clothing policy.
4. Fans and good ventilation in the school and the offices
5. Clean, well-equipped, and comfortable toilet facilities with washing facilities and deodorant in case anytime needs to freshen up
6. Cold drinks and water always available (and tea and coffee and wine too!)
7. Quiet workplace rest areas, and the garden to sit quietly in.
8. Lunch is made by Vanessa for everyone most days.

Supporting Mothers

The Sourdough School has been created by Vanessa, who began The School when her children were very little. With 3 children and a business to run Vanessa is more than aware of the demands made on mothers, so we are a friendly and comfortable place for mothers. We try with all people connected to The Sourdough School, from suppliers and team members, club members and students to ensure that we are as flexible as possible to allow mums to do all the things that are needed of them whilst still being part of the Sourdough School.

4 Our Duty

Both The Sourdough School, and The Sourdough Club is aware of its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and whilst we comply with non-discrimination provisions, we actually aim to actively encourage a positive culture where we go above and beyond any legal and statutory requirements to ensure we operate in a climate where difference is valued and understood, and where everyone experiences equal opportunities so that everyone feels part of an inclusive community.

We promote tolerance, friendship and (although we are not religious,) we celebrate all religions and cultures through different aspects of our baking in courses, online and in our books. This includes breads and recipes that are from many different cultures, and different religious celebrations, however we are also aware of not crossing the boundaries of inappropriate or unacknowledged adoption of an element or elements of one culture or identity by members of another culture.  Vanessa is keen to ensure that bread culture is not replaced by dominant accepted bread popular culture.

Going above and Beyond

We also invite external guest speakers to contribute

5. Objectives

Our objective are to increase participation from all walks of life,- we have an awards programme that we run to help with this.

We also encourage increased understanding between religious groups through food culture, baking eating and sharing  bread.  We are a safe inclusive environment and encourage engagement and understanding of differences in the way we approach Baking as Lifestyle Medicine

We also acknowledge the inequalities and challenges women at work face, and look to reduce those inequalities and challenges, increasing understanding through education, signposting and support wherever possible, and also through empowering through nutritional support and knowledge.

We aim to increasing opportunities to learn, including flexible catch-up sections

6.  Breaches to policy

If any team member, club member or student or indeed anyone who is in contact with The Sourdough School or Club feels that they have not been treated in accordance with this policy, they have right of complaint our Complaints Procedure.

7 Monitoring compliance and reviewing

Effectiveness and compliance of this Policy will be monitored on an annual basis. This Policy and Procedure will be reviewed once a year in December ( the original date of implementation).)

• December 2019 Written and reviewed
• December 2020 updated and reviewed
• December 2021 updated and reviewed
• December 2022 update and reviewed