If you have questions or worries about what your responsibilities are, then do not worry, Acas has published new advice which helps employers like you, to brush up on their equality and diversity within the workplace.
Acas published equality guides on 4th August 2015 which help employers and managers identify, tackle and prevent any discrimination from taking place in the workplace.
According to Acas, their helpline has dealt with just under 50,000 calls based solely on discrimination and diversity issues in their workplace. This goes to show that many employers and managers may not completely understand what their responsibilities should be.
In 2013/14 Acas helpline answered 4.7% of diversity and discrimination calls, however this has risen in 2014/15 to 5.5% (https://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4883)
The three new free guides which Acas has published, offers advice on:
- Equality and discrimination – understanding the basics;
- Prevent discrimination – support equality; and
- Discrimination – what to do if it happens.
Each of these guides cover the areas which are covered by law as ‘protected characteristics’. Any discrimination against the following characteristics should be reported:
- Sex;
- Age;
- Race;
- Religion or belief;
- Disability;
- Sexual orientation;
- Gender reassignment;
- Marriage and civil partnership; and
- Pregnancy and maternity.
If you need any guidance regarding these subjects view the three equality guides, then if you are still unsure, give Joy a call today on 01909 512 120 or email joy@loftusstowe.com