Equal Opportunities and Diversity policy

The Vikings believe that all persons should have equal opportunities to be trained, to contribute and to participate in the society's activities.

The Vikings are committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and diversity within both the leadership and local groups, through the way we manage the organisation and provide services to clients and each other.

The objective of this policy is that no person should suffer or experience less favourable treatment, discrimination or lack of opportunities on the grounds of gender, (including those who identify as a different gender to that assigned at birth), sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs (including a lack of belief), disability, marital status, pregnancy and maternity. Note this listing only serves as typical examples, and is not an exhaustive listing. This policy covers direct as well as indirect discrimination, meaning discrimination against people because they are perceived to have, or are associated with someone who has, one of the protected characteristic relating to:

• Age
• Disability
• Ethnic Origin and Nationality
• Gender Identity
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Religion or Belief
• Sexual Orientation

A downloadable version of the full policy is available here.

The Konungr has specific responsibility for the effective implementation of this policy and may nominate officers to achieve this aim. All members must abide by the policy and help create the equality environment which is its objective.

In order to implement this policy The Vikings will:

• Communicate the policy to society members
• Incorporate specific and appropriate duties in respect of implementing the equal opportunities policy.
• Ensure that those who are involved in assessing candidates will be trained in non-discriminatory selection techniques.
• Incorporate equal opportunity notices into general communications practices and materials.
• Ensure that adequate resources are made available to fulfil the objectives of the policy.

All members and guests are expected to conduct themselves in a considerate manner at all times. The Vikings will not tolerate behaviour such as:

• Making threats
• Physical violence
• Shouting at others
• Swearing at others
• Persistent rudeness
• Harassment or bullying
• Isolating, ignoring or refusing to work with certain people
• Any other forms of victimisation.
• Displaying offensive material such as pornography or sexist / racist cartoons, or the distribution of such material via email / text message or any other format within the Viking’s environments (including but not limited to our Facebook groups/pages, Vmail, electronic discussion groups, etc.

Disguising any of the above behaviours as “jokes” or “having a laugh” is no less offensive to the subjects / victims of such, so it would remain unacceptable at Vikings events or within Viking environments. Offensive jokes are not suitable for our family orientated shows and hobby.

The items on the above list of unacceptable behaviours are considered to be disciplinary offences and could lead to disciplinary action being taken. However, The Vikings encourages members to resolve misunderstandings and problems informally wherever possible, depending on the circumstances.

It is recognised that some elements of re-enactment include some of these behaviours during displays and shows which are naturally excluded from this section. It is important however that these should be character-based and not genuinely malicious or blatantly offensive to modern standards (e.g. reference to rape might be historically tempting but is not acceptable in a modern family entertainment or hobby setting) – good taste is still expected of the membership and our guests.