HASSRA Diversity and Inclusion Statement
1.HASSRA is committed to providing a programme of membership benefits and services which fully embraces diversity and inclusion. This includes ensuring that our communications, events and activities are accessible to all members and volunteers wherever reasonably possible.
2. As a membership association, we are committed to building an inclusive environment in which everyone:
- feels a genuine sense of belonging and is able to be themselves
- is respected, empowered and supported
- is treated fairly and with dignity at all times.
3. Our goal is to ensure these commitments are meaningfully embedded in:
- HASSRA’s aims and objectives
- the day-to-day management of the Association
- the planning and delivery of membership benefits and services, including through accessible formats and inclusive practices.
4. As an inclusive association, we do not tolerate discrimination in any form. Our policies and practices are designed to be inclusive of all members and volunteers equally, regardless of personal circumstances, including but not limited to:
- age, working patterns and caring responsibilities
- disability long-term health conditions and episodic health conditions
- sex and sexual orientation
- pregnancy and maternity
- race, ethnicity and nationality
- religion and belief
- gender identity, gender expression or gender reassignment
- marital, civil partnership or relationship status
These are commonly known as protected characteristics. We know real experiences are more complicated than legally protected characteristic and that our members may have overlapping needs and we aim to support our members fairly and sensitively.
5. We will demonstrate our commitment by:
- promoting diversity and inclusion across all local office clubs, regional and national associations, and affiliates
- treating our members and volunteers fairly, with respect, and fostering an environment where different perspectives and lived experiences are valued
- promoting an environment free from discrimination, bullying and harassment, and taking action where such behaviour occurs, in line with the HASSRA Conduct and Discipline Policy
- ensuring members and volunteers have access to reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessible communication and event formats, to enable full participation in HASSRA’s membership benefits and services
- aiming to build a membership and volunteer community that reflects the diversity of our eligible employment groups and retired membership
- carrying out inclusion checks when planning and delivering membership benefits and services
- collecting and using data responsibly and in line with data protection requirements, ensuring that any information gathered to monitor the impact of this statement is handled with confidentiality and used solely to inform future decisions, improvements and service design
6. Every member of the Association has a personal responsibility for upholding and promoting the commitments set out in this Diversity and Inclusion Statement in their day-to-day interactions with members, volunteers and association partners. Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.
Any concerns, complaints or issues related to discrimination, exclusion or inappropriate conduct should be raised through the appropriate HASSRA policies and procedures, including the Conduct and Discipline Policy and any local reporting routes. Members and volunteers will be supported to raise concerns safely and constructively.
National HASSRA (Revised April 2026)
Further information
HASSRA DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORKPLAN 2024 (Incorporated to HASSRA National Work Programme 2024)
HASSRA DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORKPLAN 2021