Equality at Work

Changes to default retirement age

The government is planning to scrap the default retirement age in the United Kingdom (UK) from October 2011. Under the proposal, employers would not be allowed to dismiss staff because they had reached the age of 65.

New UK Corporate Governance Code to mean greater diversity in UK boardrooms

The revised UK Corporate Governance Code is now in force and is mandatory for companies with a premium listing of equity shares in the UK wherever they happen to be incorporated. Amongst other matters the Code requires these companies to have regard to diversity, including gender, when making board appointments. The Code includes guidelines encouraging diversity and recommending that gender is explicitly considered when new board members are appointed. The European Commission is threatening to pass legislation and introduce measures such as quotas if companies do not, within one year, take voluntary action to improve gender balance on executive boards. At present, men hold nearly 89% of board positions in the biggest listed companies and only 3% of companies are run by women.

The Equality Act: a few important changes

Discrimination by association is extended to cover age, disability, gender reassignment and sex: this is direct discrimination against someone because they associate with another person who possesses a protected characteristic.

Discrimination by perception is extended to cover disability, gender reassignment and sex: this is direct discrimination against someone because others think they possess a particular protected characteristic - even if the person does not possess that characteristic.

Third party harassment is extended to cover age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation: an employer is potentially liable for any harassment of its employees by a third party if this has occurred on at least two previous occasions, they were aware it had taken place and had not taken reasonable steps to stop it happening.

The United Kingdom Council for Access and Equality (UKCAE) Pathway: the business tool for equality at work

UKCAE’s Governing Body recently hosted demonstrations to key organisations in all three sectors of the online UKCAE Pathway. Further presentations will be taking place throughout the country during the Autumn. For further details please email info@thresholdinitiative.com or call 020 7368 6969.

UKCAE Pathway: the business case for equality at work

The Governing Body also demonstrated how uniquely the UKCAE Pathway incorporates an online tool that measures achievement and change - thus providing the business case for equality at work.