New laws giving same sex couples the right to marry is a reminder to employers to promote diversity in the workplace, according to some law advisors.
Due to the new law (The Civil Partnership Act 2004) means that employers should make sure they are complying with the laws to protect employees from sexual orientation discrimination, which has been in effect since December 2003. Although the new ruling does not introduce new employment rights, it will clarify existing rights for the 22,000 people predicted could be in a civil partnership by 2010.
Certain areas of employment law relating to equality and family-friendly rights will be amended to formally identify a 'civil partner' as equivalent to a spouse.
Under the Race Relations Act CRE have published a new statutory code of practice which sets out employers legal obligations. It also provides guidance on how to avoid unlawful racial discrimination and harassment at work.
There are recommendations for employment/recruitment agencies and a separate chapter on the rights and responsibilities of workers
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24th November 2005 - UK Airport trains supervisors to deal with bullying
One of the UK airports is training supervisors to tackle bullying on one of its £4.2bn project. The airports in-house newspaper reported that 10% of workers think that bullying is a problem. This report is an improvement from last years survey where it was 20% of workers, but now supervisors are receiving extra training, which includes a two-hour diversity awareness session every month.
The training aims to help supervisors recognise what bullying is, why people do it, the impact it has on individuals and the team, and what can be done about it. The session also provides information on the relevant laws and penalties as well as preparing supervisors how they can help in eliminating bullying and harassment. This will mean that 60 supervisors will have been trained by the end of the year.
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16th November 2005 - Mayor to increase diversity in London cabbies
The Mayor of London has put together a number of roadshows to encourage people from ethnic communities to consider becoming licensed taxi drivers. Only one in 20 existing taxi drivers is from black, Asian and ethnic minorities, compared to nearly a third of London's population. Only 1% of current drivers are Asian and 2.4% are black.
Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "More people from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds are applying to become cab drivers, but at the current rate it will be 30 years before the trade is representative of London's communities.
"Taxi drivers are great ambassadors for London and I want the trade to reflect the diversity of the capital. This campaign is designed to encourage people from non-traditional backgrounds to consider becoming a cab driver by informing people about the benefits of the trade and how to become qualified."
A poster and leaflet campaign called 'Put yourself in the driving seat' has been circulated to libraries, Jobcentres, hospitals and doctors surgeries around London. They will also appear in local press over the next few weeks.
The first roadshow will take place at the London Muslim Centre part of the East London Mosque, and many more to follow in the next few months.
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10th November 2005 - New film brings disabled workers into spotlight
A short film released on 10th November 05 aims to encourage workers to 'come out' about their long term health conditions so they can continue to work effectively. The film called The Appointment follows Alan, a hotel manager as he finds out that he has diabetes. Alan is forced to look at his life and how he needs to adjust, and also when he employs at his hotel could they be facing similar issues. It also highlights that a disability doesn't need to be obvious such as being in a wheelchair or having a white stick. The film was made by the Disability Rights Commission.
The Appointment is being screened in Vue cinemas across the country from Friday 11th November until Thursday 5th January 2005. It is also available on DVD from the DRC Helpline.
Key Facts
- There are 6.8 million disabled people of working age in Britain - 1 in 5 of the total working population - 600,000 of which are employed in small businesses.
- Disability covers people with a wide range of impairments and health conditions - everything from diabetes and depression to arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis and cancer.
- Only 50% of disabled people of working age are in employment compared to 81% of non-disabled people.
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8th November 2005 - When tomorrow comes
By 2015 there will be 30% increase in the number of 45-74 yr olds and a 17% drop in 25-44 yr olds, this means 1.3million fewer workers aged between 25-35 in the next decade. More public and private sectors are employing older workers as a way to fill the impending skills gap but not everyone agrees.
A study found that ethnic communities groups and lone parents are still under represented in the workforce, despite legislation to increase diversity. Working age people with the lowest qualifications are the most disadvantaged groups and the only area in society to fall in employment levels in the last 10 years. Less than half of this group are in employment now but more is need to urge employers to play more of a role in schemes that help people back into employment.
More support is needed for the disadvantage groups such as refugees, the homeless and ex-offenders.
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8th November 2005 - Equality drives disability policy developments
According to a survey the promotion of equality is still the most dominant force behind the development of employer policies on disability.
A survey was done on 64 employers, all but 3 have a policy in place on the employment of disabled staff. 60 respondents said that compliance with legislation and promotion of equal opportunities and diversity were cited as reasons for such policies. However the promotion of equal opportunities and diversity was high on the list rather than compliance with legislation.
One third of public sector organisations have put together a committee group to promote the equality of disabled people. Other organisations are following in their footsteps. Almost half of the organisations surveyed said there was an increase in the disabled people employed, and just under one-fifth said the proportion stayed the same.
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1st November 2005 - Construction industry to improve diversity
The construction industry is working hard to address its image but the media doesn't help matters when it prints 'wolf-whistling brickies' such a stereotype that we need to move away from. A campaign was launched called 'Positive Image' which is focusing on attracting women into the industry. The campaign also has a £1m scholarship to help young women doing construction degree courses.
10% of the sector's employees are women, and this is growing. There is much work being done to change perceptions and experiences women have of the construction industry and will continue to do so.
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20th October 2005 - Tackling bullying with drama
A financial institute is running drama based training for tackling bullying and harassment for senior managers and showing a training video to its 65,000 employees. The drama workshops are tailored to the different sectors of the business, and does role play scenarios showing difficult situations and inappropriate behaviour by employees.
The message from the director is saying that respect at work can create a much more productive environment and organisational values.
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4th October 2005 - Managers lack support to tackle bullying of women
Employers have been asked to support managers in its efforts at providing a better diversity and gender equality in the workplace. 59% of female managers and 74% of male managers feel they have sufficient training to deal with bullying and harassment of women in the workplace. Less than half (48%) of managers under 29 feel adequate to deal with this.
A survey of 800 line managers in public and private sectors realise the benefits of having more women in all levels, yet 54% believe their organisation is failing to make a proper business case for diversity.
26% of managers said that diversity aims form part of their personal performance objectives and only 10% of managers link these aims with remuneration.
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3rd October 2005 - CRE Chair calls for 'highway code' for multi-ethnic Britain
Trevor Phillips spoke at the Conservative Party Conference Muslim Forum held in Blackpool. This is a brief summary of what he said:
"We are facing constant challenges as we encounter new cultures and our own culture changes. We need a modern highway code, our unwritten handbook for getting on with each other, if we are to live together successfully."
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13th June 2005 - Caring For Others - Minister Encourages Carers To Apply For Carer's Allowance
As part of Carers Week, Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, today helped celebrate the role of carers and reminded people to apply for Carer's Allowance.
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Age discrimination is still affecting the old and young.
A study put together by a large Chartered Institute showed 22% of managers and personnel officers admit discrimination does occur against workers on the grounds of age.
In October 2006 new age discrimination legislation will come into effect so it will be unlawful for employers to discriminate against workers on the grounds of age. The new legislation will also ban all retirement ages below 65, unless it can be justified. The regulations will also remove the current upper age limits for unfair dismissal and redundancy rights.
The study however found that discrimination occurred with older and younger workers. 23% of managers said they discriminated because they thought someone was too young.
Some company's are moving forward by introducing flexible retirement. The study found 29% of employers have removed mandatory retirement ages for employees.
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9th June 2005 - Long hours working is the biggest demon for UK families
The UK's long hours culture is damaging people's personal lives and reinforcing the gender pay gap, as women juggle paid work with caring for children and older relatives while their partners work the longest hours in Europe, says the TUC in its submission to the Government's consultation on flexible working.
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6th June 2005 - Blunkett calls on men to consider career in childcare
David Blunkett today called on men to consider a career in childcare as he launched National Childcare Week as part of Sure Start month.
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June 2005 - Massie: exclusion "more profound for disabled people"
In a speech used to launch a national disability debate and website last week, Disability Rights Commission chairman Bert Massie sparked controversy when he appeared to say that disabled people experience more profound exclusion than black people.
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27 May 2005 - The police service's gay, black, female and disabled support associations boycotted the diversity debate at the Police Federation's annual conference.
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26 May 2005 - The TUC has called for private companies to be subject to the same anti-discrimination laws as local councils
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26th May 2005 - Put disabled people at the heart of policies and no one
Minister for Disabled People Anne McGuire today insisted disabled people must be involved in helping to formulate policies that affect their lives.
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13th May 2005 - Further Government support for increasing ethnic minority employment
The Government today welcomed the publication of the National Employment Panel report on Increasing the Employment and Business Growth of Ethnic Minority and Faith groups.
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April 2005 - Disability Discrimination Act receives Royal Assent
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November 2004 - Commission for Equality and Human Rights
The Government has confirmed that a single body with responsibilities for challenging discrimination across society and for the first time promoting human rights. The new organisation will be established in October 2007 except the area of race discrimination and race relations which will transfer from the Commission for Racial Equality to the new organisation in April 2009.
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Elections and good race relations
The CRE has produced a briefing in response to requests from local councils, schools, and community organisations for advice on how to maintain and promote good race relations during an election period.
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Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill - CRE briefing on incitement to religious hatred provisions
The CRE welcomes Government proposals to introduce legislation to afford individuals protection from incitement to religious hatred, which we see as a necessary legislative measure to ensure all are treated equally before the law.
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Identity Cards Bill: CRE response
The CRE has considered the likely impact on race equality and race relations of the proposals in the Identity Cards Bill. This briefing contains an initial assessment of whether the provisions of the Bill overcome these concerns or make adequate provision for safeguards
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