Equal Opportunities

STATEMENT OF INTENT

Baseless Fabric is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation, representative of the community around us and a cultural home to all. We want everyone who works with us, sees our performances or takes part in our activities, to feel welcome and respected. And we want the imaginative work we present to speak to the world we live in, with all its rich variety of voices and cultures.

We recognise that it is essential to provide equal opportunities to all persons without discrimination. This policy sets out the organisation’s position on equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including recruitment and promotion, giving guidance and encouragement to employees at all levels to act fairly and prevent discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, part-time and fixed term contract status, age, sexual orientation or religion. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination and recognise our obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

This commitment to equality, and to a company culture which treats staff, freelance artists and audiences equally and fairly, goes beyond Baseless Fabric. We are committed to upholding these values in the wider industry and to playing our part in creating a sustainable future for a more equitable theatre & music industry in this country.

Our Pledges

  • We will continue working to make Baseless Fabric productions and participation activities a more inclusive and representative programme.
  • Our aim is that our audiences and participants of the future will be more representative of the residents of London and the community that surrounds us in all its diversity.
  • Our culture will be welcoming and inclusive, and we will develop a team of staff and freelancers who are representative of the community around us.

Anti-Racism Pledges

  • Baseless Fabric commits to being an anti-racist organisation. We recognise the serious impact of racism that our staff and freelancers experience in society and specifically within the theatre & music sector. We commit to responding to this pro-actively with our peers to improve anti-racist practice across the industry and beyond.
  • Our Board commit Baseless Fabric to being anti-racist as an essential part of our equal opportunities policy and practice, and integral to artistic policy and business strategy.
  • We continue to review our organisational processes to ensure they are fit for purpose so that everyone associated with Baseless Fabric is able to challenge bias and dismantle systemic racism wherever it is encountered. This will take account of the need for confidentiality and anonymity, where required.
  • We work to improve representation of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people with Baseless Fabric across our workforce, Board, programme and audiences. We commit to maintaining this focus in the long-term, including financial resource and staff time, as an organisational priority.

Employment

  • Baseless Fabric will ensure that no freelance contractor or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time or fixed term contract status, sexual orientation or religion. The organisation is committed not only to its legal obligations but also to the positive promotion of equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.
  • The organisation recognises that adhering to the Equal Opportunities Policy, combined with relevant employment policies and practices, maximises the effective use of individuals in both the organisation’s and employees´ best interests. Baseless Fabric recognises the great benefits in having a diverse workforce with different backgrounds, solely employed on ability.
  • The application of recruitment, training, promotion and contractual engagement policies to all individuals will be on the basis of job requirements and the individual’s ability and merits.
  • Baseless Fabric will put in place any reasonable measures and/or adjustments within the workplace for appointees with disabilities.
  • All employees & freelance contractors will be considered solely on their merits for career development and promotion with equal opportunities for all.

Training

  • Employees will be provided with appropriate training regardless of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time or fixed term contract status, sexual orientation or religion.

Grievances

  • Breaches of our equality policy will be regarded as misconduct and could lead to disciplinary proceedings.

This policy will be reviewed and updated annually by the Board of Trustees. It was last reviewed on 11th January 2026.