Policies

LGBTIQA+ Anti-Discrimination Policy

Policy Title: LGBTIQA+ Anti-Discrimination Policy
Effective Date: 19 February 2025
Last Reviewed: 19 February 2025
Policy Owner: [Human Resources/DEI Department]
Applicability: All employees, contractors, vendors, and stakeholders

1. Purpose

Food Microbiology Academy is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace where all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics, are treated with dignity and respect. This policy affirms our commitment to eliminating discrimination, harassment, and bias against LGBTIQA+ individuals and ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, interns, vendors, clients, and visitors. It covers all company operations, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotions, benefits, workplace interactions, and external engagements.

3. Definitions

LGBTIQA+: An acronym representing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, Asexual, and other diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
Discrimination: Unfair or unequal treatment based on a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.
Harassment: Any unwelcome conduct, verbal or physical, that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment.
Gender Identity: A person’s deeply felt sense of their gender, which may or may not correspond with their sex assigned at birth.
Intersex: Individuals born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.

4. Policy Statement

Food Microbiology Academy prohibits all forms of discrimination, harassment, and bias against LGBTIQA+ individuals. We are committed to:

Providing equal opportunities in recruitment, hiring, promotions, and professional development.
Ensuring all employees have access to facilities, benefits, and resources that align with their gender identity.
Using inclusive language in all communications, policies, and practices.
Supporting employees in their gender transition process, including name and pronoun changes, dress codes, and restroom access.
Providing training and education to foster awareness and understanding of LGBTIQA+ issues.
Addressing and resolving complaints of discrimination or harassment promptly and confidentially.

5. Key Principles

Respect: All individuals must be treated with dignity and respect.
Inclusion: We actively promote a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated.
Equity: We ensure fair treatment and access to opportunities for all.
Confidentiality: Personal information about an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status will be kept confidential unless disclosure is required by law or explicitly authorized by the individual.

6. Responsibilities

Employees: Treat all colleagues with respect, use correct names and pronouns, and report any incidents of discrimination or harassment.
Managers/Supervisors: Lead by example, address inappropriate behavior, and ensure team members are aware of this policy.
Human Resources: Provide training, handle complaints, and ensure compliance with this policy.
Leadership: Demonstrate commitment to LGBTIQA+ inclusion and allocate resources to support this policy.

7. Reporting and Resolution

Employees who experience or witness discrimination or harassment should report it immediately to their supervisor, HR, or through the company’s anonymous reporting hotline.
All complaints will be investigated promptly, fairly, and confidentially.
Retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or participate in an investigation is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.

8. Training and Awareness

Mandatory training on LGBTIQA+ inclusion and anti-discrimination will be provided to all employees.
Ongoing awareness campaigns and resources will be made available to support understanding and allyship.

9. Support and Resources

Access to Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for LGBTIQA+ employees and allies.
Partnerships with LGBTIQA+ organizations for additional support and education.
Mental health and counseling services that are inclusive of LGBTIQA+ needs.

10. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains aligned with best practices and legal requirements. Feedback from employees and stakeholders will be considered to improve its effectiveness.

11. Acknowledgment

All employees are required to acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with this policy.

Approved By:
Dr Philip Button
Food Safety and Quality Microbiologist / Academy Director
19 February 2025

Contact Information:
For questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact:
Dr Philip Button
Food Safety and Quality Microbiologist / Academy Director
philip.button@foodmicrobiology.academy
+61 412 342233

This policy reflects Food Microbiology Academy’s commitment to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, free from discrimination and bias. Together, we can build a culture of inclusion and respect for all.

Corporate Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 17 March 2025

1. Introduction

Food Microbiology Academy (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information, particularly in relation to event registrations. By using our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information when you register for an event:

Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
Demographic Information: Age, gender, and job title.
Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address, and transaction history.
Preferences: Event preferences, dietary requirements, and special accommodations.
Technical Information: IP address, browser type, and operating system.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Event Registration: To process your registration, manage attendance, and communicate event details.
Customer Service: To respond to your inquiries and provide support.
Marketing: To send you information about upcoming events, promotions, and company news (with your consent).
Improvement: To improve our events, services, and website.
Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights.

4. How We Keep Your Information Private

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the privacy of your personal information:

Data Encryption: We use encryption technologies to protect sensitive information transmitted online.
Access Controls: Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel only.
Secure Storage: Personal information is stored in secure environments, both physical and digital.
Regular Audits: We conduct regular security audits to ensure compliance with our privacy standards.
Third-Party Vendors: We require third-party vendors to adhere to strict privacy and security standards.

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to outside parties without your consent, except in the following circumstances:

Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities.
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access: You can request access to the personal information we hold about you.
Correction: You can request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete information.
Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal obligations.
Opt-Out: You can opt-out of receiving marketing communications at any time by following the unsubscribe link in our emails.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

Dr Philip Button
26 Helsal Drive, Wantirna South, Victoria, 3152, Australia
philip.button@foodmicrobiology.academy
+61 412 342233

10. Consent

By registering for our events and using our services, you consent to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy is designed to be comprehensive and compliant with general privacy regulations. However, it is advisable to consult with a legal professional to ensure it meets specific legal requirements applicable to your jurisdiction and industry.