Embracing Diversity

In response to figures showing an increase last year in tribunal claims on race and sex discrimination, the Chartered Management Institute has published a short guidance leaflet for managers called Embracing Diversity. The guidance highlights the positive impact of a diverse workforce on performance and productivity, and offers organisations advice on how to develop an effective workplace policy.

The importance of tackling discrimination and promoting diversity was highlighted only recently when a Tribunal described a company as being “riddled with racists and racism from director level to the production floor.” The company in question, Benham General Engineering, was fined £34,000 for race discrimination also fined a further £5,000 after claiming it did not realise the claimant was mixed race and accused her of trying to make herself look “more black” for the Tribunal.

Colleges, as public organisations, have a duty to promote equality under laws on sex, race and disability discrimination; and their progress in this area is reviewed as part of the inspection process. The National Joint Forum in England is currently negotiating joint guidance on promoting equality and these will be recommended to FE colleges once they are agreed.