The Prime Minister has introduced the Race at Work Charter, which involves a series of measures that aim to address ethnic disparities in the workplace. The Race at Work Charter looks to commit businesses to a set of principles and actions that foster a step-change in the recruitment and progression of ethnic minority employees.
The measures stem from the findings of a disparity audit conducted in 2017, which highlighted the treatment of people of different ethnic backgrounds across society.
The Charter contains five calls to action. All signatories will appoint an executive sponsor for race. They will capture ethnicity data and publicise progress, and commit at board level to zero tolerance of harassment and bullying. Finally they will make clear that supporting equality in the workplace is the responsibility of all leaders and managers, and take action to support ethnic minority career progression.
Meanwhile, a consultation on ethnicity pay reporting has been issued. BEIS is seeking views on ethnicity pay reporting by employers, setting out options and asking questions on what ethnicity pay information should be reported by employers to allow for meaningful action, who should be expected to report and other next steps. The deadline for submissions is 11 January 2019.
The industrial strategy behind the consultation has a key aim of "removing the barriers faced by under-represented groups in entering the labour market and reaching their potential".
This article is taken from HR Law - November 2018.
