v.0.2 - Date: 20.01.22
Objective of this document is to set out the key components of OpenAIRE’s policy in relation to Gender Equality and non-discrimination. OpenAIRE is committed to the development and pro-active implementation of policies aiming at inclusive equality, supporting and encouraging diversity and having an overall high-level of ethical standards, policies and processes.
The purpose of this policy is to:
This policy applies to all OpenAIRE staff, including individuals, agency workers and contractors.
Individuals, agency workers and contractors should follow this policy in all their dealings with other colleagues, actual or potential applicants, academics, the general public, suppliers, clients and other stakeholders. Any act of discrimination by individuals or failure to comply with the terms of this policy will result in disciplinary action or contract termination.
This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, terms and conditions of work, training and development, promotion, performance management, grievance, discipline and treatment of workers when their contract of employment ends.
Greek Law 4808/2021 legally protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
It is part of the existing legal framework comprising of laws 3896/2010, 4097/2012, 4443/2016, 3850/2010, 3769/2009 and 3304/2005 and all together constitute transposition of the so-called Recast Directive (2006/54/EC) on equal opportunities and equal treatment of women and men in employment and occupation. The Recast Directive reflects the Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC) that prohibits discrimination on the ground of racial or ethnic origin in a broad range of fields, including employment, as well as the Employment Equality Directive (2000/78/EC).
OpenAIRE is committed to providing equality and fairness for all in its employment and its places of work eliminating unjustified discrimination on following protected characteristics:
All individuals, agency workers and contractors, whether part-time, full-time or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect.
There are different ways in which discrimination can occur, described below.
Direct discrimination occurs when an individual receives less favourable treatment due to their age, disability, gender or gender re-assignment, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origins, religion or belief, or contractual and work roles which cannot be justified by genuine occupational requirements.
Indirect discrimination occurs when a provision, criterion or practice which, although applied equally to all, is such that a considerably smaller proportion of people of a certain group can comply with it and it cannot be justified and is not legitimate. An example of indirect discrimination would be to advertise a job with a requirement that applicants must be at least 6 feet tall. This would exclude most women, and, since it is very unlikely it could be justified as a requirement for the job, it would be unlawful.
Harassment comprises a set of behaviors (active or omissive) that injure or are likely to endanger the physical and psychological integrity of another person, their freedom of determination, sexual freedom, honor, privacy, cultural identity and personal integrity or economic integrity Harassment covers a wide range of behaviours including (but not limited to):
Harassment due to age, disability, gender or gender re-assignment, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origins, religion or belief, or contractual and work roles is unlawful discrimination and in some circumstances can be a criminal offence.
Discrimination can also occur through the victimisation of an individual who has made a complaint or allegation or given evidence or information about another in relation to discriminatory behaviour. This does not apply if the individual knowingly makes an allegation, or gives evidence or information, if the allegation, evidence or information was false and not given in good faith.
OpenAIRE will take active steps to promote good practice. In particular it will:
Where it is suspected or alleged that inequality or discrimination has taken place, then the appropriate OpenAIRE policy will be applied, for example in the following cases.
If an individual is being bullied or harassed on grounds of their gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or age, the individual will report it to the Office Manager who will then take action in accordance to this policy.
If the inequality takes place during recruitment, in terms and conditions of work, training and development, promotion, performance management, grievance, discipline and treatment of workers when their contract of employment ends then it may be reported to the Office Manager who will then take action in accordance to this policy.
Where an individual, agency worker or contractor is found to have committed an act of discrimination or fails to comply with the terms of this policy OpenAIRE’s will take action according to its internal disciplinary policies and procedures.
In order for this policy to be effective OpenAIRE requires staff at all levels to do their part as follows:
It is vital that people managers appreciate when and how direct and indirect discrimination occurs, and understand how to eliminate both. Every decision people managers make about present and prospective individuals, involves making assessments and choices.
Whenever people managers make a decision about people they should:-
The responsibility for monitoring this policy rests with the Office Manager. The policy will be updated as and when the Office Manager deem it necessary or when employment legislation changes.
All personal queries to be directed to your line manager. For further information on the policy please contact the Office Manager at Ioanna Giannaki.
OpenAIRE has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under Grant Agreements No. 777541 and 101017452 (see all).
Unless otherwise indicated, all materials created by OpenAIRE are licenced under CC ATTRIBUTION 4.0 INTERNATIONAL LICENSE.