Equality and Diversity

Why does Equality and Diversity matter?

Whatever your business is, it pays to know about equality and diversity in the workplace.  To ensure you act within the law and to make the best of your workforce and your business opportunities.  Workforce diversity should be a part of your core business because it impacts on:

• Organisational reputation
• Recruitment and retention
• Productivity
• Risk mitigation

A good reputation attracts the best talent from all communities.  Valuing diversity signals an 'inclusive' environment for potential staff, service providers and customers.

An increasingly diverse population will be entering the employment market and employers need to use the full range of skills, experiences and resources of a diverse workforce.  Here are a few facts about workforce in the UK:

• 3.5 million disabled people are in work (ONS 2008)
• 6% of the population is LGBT (Talent not Toeknism, 2008)
• by 2020 UK's ethnic minority population will be 11% (Equalities Review, 2007)
• By 2030, 50% of the UK population will be 50+ and over one third will be over 60years of age (ONS, 2006)

 A survey conducated for Job Centre Plus with more than 2000 respondents in relation to diversity shows:

• 56% of customers would be more likely to use a business that has a diverse workforce
• 79% think it's important for businesses to have a policy on diversity in the workforce 

Getting it wrong as an employer can be very expensive.  Complaints and legal challenges are damaging to your reputation and employment tribunals are time consuming and costly.  Organisations with an effective approach to diversity are more risk resillient.

There are a number of legal and political drivers for equality and diversity in Scotland.  Download the document on the right hand of this page for further information.

What should I do?

Below are some tips and pointers that you can consider to ensure your organisation is addressing equality and diversity issues:

• Make sure your policies and practices incorporate and meet the current legislative requirements
• Provide appropriate training and development for staff dealing with key issues E.g. HR staff
• Consider undertaking workforce auditing and profiling (gathering information about the make-up of your workforce)
• Benchmarking - measuring performance against that of best in class or other quality standards
• Promote and inform staff, raise awareness of equality and diversity issues via your staffnet site, information boards, newsletters and staff meetings
• Equality Impact Assessments - assessing the effects that a function or policy is likely to have on your workforce or customers
• Examine your recruitment policies and see if any changes can be made to your practice which increases recruitment from a more diverse population
• Consider the development of a Workforce Diversity Policy

Where can I go for help?

For information on the current equality legislation landscape a good starting point is the Equality and Human Right's Commisssion website at http://www.equalityhumanrights.com

Contact your local Chamber of Commerce  www.glasgowchamberonline.org

Contact your local Job Centre Plus www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Contact Equality Matters in Business on 0845 607 8787 or email emb-enquiries@scotent.co.uk.  This programme highlights the benefits of diversity in the workplace and offers free and impartial advice to businesses. www.scotlandistheplace.com

Skills for Business is a programme in England which has very useful web based information and provides case study examples for companies.  Find out more by going to http://www.sfbn-equality-diversity.org.uk/