The new Equalities Bill

It's all over the news but just in case you haven't tuned in yet... The government presented the new Equalities Bill on Thursday 26th June in a move to try and end discrimination at work. But what does it mean?

The gender paygap is still 17%, so to combat this and other forms of discrimination there is to be a new single Equalities Act to replace the many different discrimination acts and regulations. Key points for the workplace are:

1) 'Positive discrimination' will be extended from mere job adverts to the recruitment and promotion selection process. If there are two or more candidates of equal ability it will be possible to select one from a minority so as to redress an imbalance. On the Today program, the Equalities Minister Harriet Harman gave examples of ethnic police officers for an area with a high ethnic population or female directors on the board of an industry aimed at a female market. Such discretion could also allow the appointment of a female candidate to an otherwise male dominated firm and visa versa.

2) Firms will have to publish pay rates and, if tendering for public contracts, will be expected to demonstrate the application of equal pay.

3) It will be illegal to prevent an employee from disclosing his or her wage to other persons.

Let's wait for the draft legislation but it is be hoped a single act will simplify the great weight of discrimination statutes so as to ensure the key purpose of selection and promotion on merit shines through. Where positive discrimination fits in with this is perhaps more debatable, but in certain industries it is perhaps necessary to crack the old boys network before equality can be achieved...

For further information on this or any employment issues please contact the colemans-ctts Employment Team or email Tom Walker, partner, at tom.walker@ctts.co.uk. Telephone – 0208 296 6878