Recruiters routinely discriminate against job candidates from ethnic minorities in favour of their white rivals, alleges the charity Race for Opportunity. To back their claims, Race for Opportunity issued figures showing only 29% of black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates (BAME) were offered jobs, while 44% of white job seekers found a post. Around 57%...
Workplace diversity is just a PR stunt, claim employees
Workers are rubbishing their employers efforts to promote fairness through diversity as a stunt to grab headlines, alleges new research. Around half of employees consider workplace diversity strategies as filling a tick box to look good for marketing and PR, says the Adecco Group’s report ‘Unlocking Britain’s Potential.’ The dispiriting results of the survey showed...
85% of mentally ill complain of discrimination
Mental health issues are still a stigma with people discriminating against sufferers, according to the latest government statistics. Tolerance of those suffering mental health problems is improving, although significant numbers still have fear and uncertainty over the condition. The Health and Social Care Information Centre, part of the NHS, has conducted the study each...
Give your views on how equality is working
Equality and diversity managers have their chance to influence government policy as part of David Cameron’s red tape challenge to slimline bureaucracy. The government is seeking views on how equality legislation is working – and what, if anything, can be changed to improve the law. The Equality Act 2010 is umbrella legislation that replaced...
Employers focus on ‘retiring’ older workers
One in four employers is retiring older workers who they would normally let work on because of concerns about keeping staff on after the default retirement age is scrapped. Among the latest is Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which has written to 203 staff aged over 65 to tell them their contracts would...
BBC slammed for diversity failings
The BBC needs to switch on to the real world instead of portraying Christians as ‘derogatory stereotypes’ and marginalising older women. This indictment of the broadcaster’s diversity policy is even more damning as the main critics are viewers and the BBC’s staff. Many believe the organisation goes too far in representing minority views, with positive...
Spending cuts spark equality act challenges
Spending cuts spark equality act challenges Council spending cuts that impact on minority or disadvantaged groups may face diversity law challenges from special-interest groups. Lawyers from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have already demanded equality assessment papers from councillors in Stoke-on-Trent in a row over scrapping a £13,600 a year subsidy. The...
May signposts public sector diversity audit u-turn
May signpost public sector diversity audit u-turn Equalities Minister Theresa May has backtracked on proposals to audit public sector workers on personal issues like sexuality, disability and religion. She has published a written statement in Parliament suggesting the plan to ask around 27,000 public sector organisations, including schools, police and councils is under revision. Although...