Policy for Equality and Diversity - Equal Rights, Opportunities and Benefits

Title Policy for Equality and Diversity - Equal Rights, Opportunities and Benefits	Process Ownership President HR & Strategic Affairs	Created 01 Aug, 2019
Category Learning Delivery Function	Approval Body Chairman, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT STUDIES	Review Date 01 Jul, 2021
Category Learning Delivery Function	Approval Body Chairman, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT STUDIES	Version 2 30 Aug 2021 To 01 Jul, 2022
Category Learning Delivery Function	Approval Body Chairman, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT STUDIES	Version 3 30 Aug 2022 To 01 Jul, 2023
Category Learning Delivery Function	Approval Body Chairman, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT STUDIES	Version 4 April 2024 To April 2026
Institution NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT STUDIES	Website niatm-edu.com	Email info@niatm-edu.com

Table of Contents

• A. Policy Code
• B. Policy Statement
• C. Objectives of Policy
• D. Definitions
• E. Scope of Policy
• F. Policy Framework
• i. Criteria of Special Consideration
• ii. Authority to make appropriate decisions under the policy
• iii. Approving Authorities
• iv. Process of Approval and granting special considerations
• v. Process of withdrawal of special consideration/adjustments
• vi. Documentation and records
• vii. Investigation and actions

A. Policy Name

Policy of Equality and Diversity

B. Policy Statement

As an institute, we are committed to enabling growth through education without discrimination. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT STUDIES (NIATM) believes that everyone has equal rights to educate, enhance skills and competence, and upgrade knowledge. NIATM will continue to ensure, as far as possible, that every policy contains provisions for equal opportunities and rights so that everyone gets benefits without differentiation or distinction based on any factor, except in the case of special categories of students, professionals, or business associates who may have limitations that hinder their scope and potential to progress and prosper.

C. Objectives of Policy

1. To ensure every individual, professional, business associate, or learner gets equal opportunity and the right to learn and earn.
2. To make appropriate provision in all possible policies to ensure that there is no discrimination based on caste, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, nationality, gender, or any similar ground.
3. To provide special benefits or facilities to facilitate learning, employment, or business for special categories of learners or professionals and for those who lack required resources or facilities or face locational or logistic issues limiting their scope of learning, employment, or business.
4. To ensure that in case of any adverse circumstance beyond the control of the professional, learner, or business associate, NIATM offers special consideration so that they can continue uninterrupted learning, employment, or business activity even during such situations.
5. To ensure there are specific provisions and guidelines in all possible policies for accountability and documentation of such special categories of learners and professionals and the special arrangements and benefits offered to them.

D. Definitions

Most definitions for this policy will be in line with, or in accordance with, the Appropriate Adjustment or Consideration Policy and in case of any ambiguity, the interpretation according to that policy will be treated as final and binding.

1. Equality

Equality means treating everyone at par in terms of offering facilities, benefits, and opportunities to learn and earn. The term also means ensuring that general and special categories of professionals, learners, and business associates are brought to a fair and equal position through special arrangements, consideration, and support depending on their circumstances and requirements.

Equality also means ensuring equal and fair treatment concerning the fairness in the supply of services and available opportunities as a part of institutional and business functions, including areas of gender, disability, sexual orientation, race, region, belief, and age.

2. Adverse or Challenging Situation

An adverse or challenging situation means any condition or circumstance that creates a limitation to learning, working as a professional, or doing business, and is beyond the control of and beyond repair by the learner, professional, or business associate, causing a disadvantage or obstacle in achieving the objective to learn, upgrade skills, competencies, and knowledge, or earn a livelihood through employment or business activities.

3. Diversity

Diversity describes the range of visible and non-visible differences that exist between people. Managing diversity uses these differences to create a productive environment in which everybody feels valued, talents are fully utilized, and organizational goals are met.

(Kandola and Fullerton 1998)

E. Scope of Policy

This policy will be applicable to:

• All students and professionals who desire to upgrade their skills, competencies, knowledge, and/or educational qualifications for their progression.
• All professionals who otherwise have the desired minimum qualifications, experience, and expertise for a particular job but have some limitations.
• All business associates who are competent, meet other criteria, and fulfil all the conditions for business but face some limitation due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond control.

F. Policy Framework

This policy will have the following major compliance segments:

1. Criteria for special consideration and reasonable adjustment.
2. Authorities to take appropriate decisions under the policy.
3. Process of approval and granting concession or special consideration and reasonable adjustment.
4. Process of withdrawal of special considerations/adjustments.
5. Documentation and records.
6. Investigation and actions.

1. Criteria for Special Consideration

This policy of Equality aims at offering equal opportunities to learn, upgrade skills and competencies, career progression, and business activity, while ensuring fair opportunity, facilities, and appropriate consideration to those who face concerns and obstacles limiting their scope and opportunities.

For this, NIATM has the following major criteria for special considerations under this policy:

1. Lack of financial resources for the learner, due to which the learner is not able to pursue studies or learning.
2. Physical or mental impairments for the learner or for a business associate. However, for employment, only physical impairment may be considered where required by the role and applicable norms.
3. Any natural calamity which restricts resources for learning, doing business, or employment opportunities.
4. Any locational issues like remoteness, underdeveloped location, or poor infrastructure creating an obstacle.
5. Non-availability of other resources like logistics, internet connectivity, and similar facilities.
6. Temporary health issues or permanent disability which impair the ability of a professional or student to learn or work for a short temporary period, or for a longer period of time.

2. Authorities to Take Appropriate Decisions Under the Policy in Case of Adverse and Challenging Situations

Under this policy, there are two types of authorities:

1. Recommending Authorities
2. Approving Authorities

(1) Recommending Authorities

Following are the authorities on behalf of the institute to identify and recommend special consideration and ensure equality of opportunities:

1. Executive/Manager – Operations: for learners and facilities or considerations to facilitate learning and studies, and also for professionals who seek employment but need special consideration while otherwise meeting the parameters for employment.
2. Executive/Assistant Manager/Manager – CSR: for learners and facilities or considerations to facilitate learning and studies.
3. Executive/Manager – Human Resources: for professionals who seek employment but need special consideration while otherwise meeting employment parameters.
4. Executive – Accounts / Executive – Administration: for recommending a vendor or business associate for specific consideration where other conditions are met but challenging situations affect the ability to do business.
5. Manager/Executive – Sales: for learners and facilities or considerations to facilitate learning and studies.
6. Qualification Department / Internal or External Examiner: for qualification development, delivery, and award-related recommendations where applicable.

(2) Approving Authorities

1. Governing Council: authorized to review and evaluate recommendations related to learners’ interests and professionals for employment, and to approve or reject such proposals.
2. Directors: authorized to review and evaluate recommendations and take an appropriate decision either to approve or reject the proposal.
3. Chairman: authorized to review and evaluate recommendations for all kinds of special considerations and take the final decision either to approve or reject them.

3. Process of Approval and Granting Special Considerations

Every recommendation made under this policy will undergo the following process steps:

1. Preparation of a proposal with the following details:
   • Details of the proposed beneficiary.
   • Nature of concern, limitation, or constraint faced by the proposed beneficiary.
   • Details of the proposed reasonable consideration recommended.
   • Justification for the recommendation.
   • Duration or timeframe for which the special consideration is recommended.
   • Financial, productivity, or any other institutional impact if the recommendation is approved.
2. The approving authority may evaluate the recommendation made, validate the information and data, and may ask for more supporting details where necessary.
3. The members of the approving authority or governing body will express the final decision in writing below the proposal and send the same to the Chairman for final signature where applicable.

4. Process of Withdrawal of Special Considerations / Adjustments

The special considerations may be withdrawn in the following situations:

1. The prescribed timeframe for the consideration has expired.
2. The situation or condition has improved before the prescribed timeframe and the beneficiary no longer needs the special consideration offered.
3. The grounds or reasons on which the special consideration or appropriate arrangements were granted are subsequently found to be false, fake, or fraudulent.

5. Documentation and Records

The following recommending authorities are expected to maintain all records and documents under this policy while complying with data protection requirements:

1. Manager – Operations: for learners and facilities or considerations to facilitate learning and studies, and also for professionals who seek employment subject to other applicable conditions.
2. Assistant Manager / Manager – CSR: for learners and facilities or considerations to facilitate learning and studies.
3. Executive – Human Resources: for professionals who seek employment but need special consideration, subject to applicable conditions.
4. Executive – Accounts / Executive – Administration: for recommending a vendor for specific consideration, subject to applicable conditions.
5. Manager – Sales: for learners and facilities or considerations to facilitate learning and studies.

The documents to be maintained are as follows:

1. The application of the proposed beneficiary, along with supporting documents.
2. The validation data and/or verification data by recommending authorities.
3. The formal recommendations made to the approving authority and the written decision of the approving authority.
4. Document of withdrawal of facility, benefit, or consideration.
5. Investigation records in case of fake application, false data, or fraud.

6. Investigation and Actions

Investigations and actions under this policy will continue in accordance with the institutional policy on investigation and actions applicable at NIATM.

Our Commitment Statement for Learners and Staff Members

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity in all aspects of our qualifications, assessment, learning, support, and certification processes. We strive to eliminate all forms of discrimination, whether direct or indirect, and to ensure that everyone has access to our qualifications and services regardless of their background or circumstances.

We comply with applicable equality principles and seek to ensure that we do not discriminate against any individual on the grounds of colour, race, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, mental or physical disability, marital status, age, belief, or sexuality.

We require all of our assessment staff, quality assurance staff, faculty members, administrative staff, and stakeholders to adhere to our equal opportunities policy. This policy should be clearly reflected in our institutional guidelines and procedures, and all staff members are expected to comply with it.

We are committed to creating a fair and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination and will take all necessary steps to ensure that our policies are effectively implemented.

If you believe that you have been discriminated against, you may contact us through our official support system or write to us at info@niatm-edu.com. We will investigate all allegations of discrimination thoroughly and take appropriate action.

Contact Information

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT STUDIES (NIATM)
Website: niatm-edu.com
Email: info@niatm-edu.com