“If people are informed they will do the right thing. It’s when they are not informed that they become hostages to prejudice.”
Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Equality and Diversity – What does it mean?
Diversity is about difference and the wide range of differences which exist between us. It’s about understanding that each individual is unique and the need to recognise, respect, embrace and value those individual differences.
What considerations are required in the workplace?
In 2010, the Equality Act was introduced which all employers have to be aware of, and comply with. However, managers and employees also need to understand their role in ensuring equality and dignity inside and outside the workplace as a lesser known fact is that they can be held personally liable for their own discriminatory acts. Their role in ensuring equality and dignity at work is therefore paramount. Training in Equality and Diversity is necessary to ensure that everyone in the workplace is aware that their language and behaviour should be based on dignity and respect for every individual and ensure that they are not demeaning on any grounds, including the 9 protected characteristics.
What are the 9 Protected characteristics?
The 9 protected characteristics are defined in the Equality Act 2010, which states that individuals and groups should not be discriminated against on the basis of these characteristics. The Equality Act protects everyone from discrimination as we all have some of these characteristics.
They are:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage or Civil Partnership
- Pregnancy and Maternity
- Race
- Religion or Belief (including lack of belief)
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation
How can In Equilibrium help?
In Equilibrium’s course “Equality, Diversity and Inclusion” is suitable for both managers and employees. It helps to increase understanding, raise awareness and build confidence about diversity issues in the workplace as two recent participants’ comments illustrate,
“It was a very eye-opening course and made me realise how many things go on that I haven’t noticed before”
and
“Nervousness transformed into confidence”
For an informal discussion about your Equality and Diversity training requirements, please click on the red box below and enter your details:
Our thanks to Eve Winston for her help with this blog article.
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