Equality Bill

[Miss Moth]

New Equality Bill offers no surprises, but plenty of preparation for organisations, warns diversity expert

09 April 2010

The new Equality Bill passed is a landmark for workplace history - providing opportunities and challenges, says a leading diversity
consultant. “The new law was widely expected to be safe,” says Vernal Scott, lead diversity consultant at Marshall ACM. “What it does, in essence, is harmonise equality laws into one and makes a few various extensions. “There are few surprises for public or private sector organisations, but plenty of work ahead to prepare effectively.”
One of the key differences of the new law is that an employee can claim dual discrimination. Previously, where six ‘strands’ of equality were discussed, these are now ‘characteristics’. “The Bill reflects the truth of being a human and says we might have more than one diversity characteristic. For instance, you might be a disabled woman or a gay black. We are not one-dimensional.” What’s more, employment tribunals will have greater power to instruct organisations about the actions they should take in order not to repeat the conduct. The tribunal can also reflect on previous details if a case is brought against the same employer again. Previously, after a tribunal, everyone went their own way and the case was closed. Scott says, “Both public and private sector organisations would be wise not to look at this Bill as a potential threat, but as an opportunity to attract the best people. Those who recognise that existing and new customers will come from these diverse groups, will optimise their organisation and provide service excellence for everyone in their business community. “It’ll be to an organisation’s advantage if it does proactively work towards this Bill. Far beyond reducing the chance of expensive legal action, it’s an opportunity for organisations to renew their efforts to clarify equality objectives, as well as involve staff and service users. It’s a commitment to best practice that will pay dividends.”

I love that line, in bold. What fun! I'm black, gay, short, Muslim. Employ me!

[Snaggletooth]

Its about time there are far to many employers out there who still discriminate unfairly against certain minoritys, and its about time that they had to pull in line and treat existing staff fairly as well as offering equal oppertunitues to new employe's.

However my concern is that in some cases the bill will be abused e.g people claiming they have been discriminated against when were never fit for a certain Job in the first place, given this countrys bizarre sence of enforcing these laws we could end up with a places having to employ people who arent capable of certain types of work in the first place.

So in all I think its a big posative step forward as long as its used justly.

Obviously the other side to this is the recent quote from the pope claiming the Church should be exempt from the ruling, as far as I am concerned Its one rule for all, they can get away with what they want in vatican city but outside of there they should have to abide by each countrys laws. No Debate.

[meu02136]

I thought we were playing a new game. Welcome Matt?

[Miss Moth]

I thought we were playing a new game. Welcome Matt?

Lucy Lastic.