Business and Admin Nvq L3 Equality and Diversity

Unit 43- Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

      1.1 Equality in the workplace refers to the equal opportunities of each staff member regardless of gender, race, background, sexuality and any other factors which differentiate people from each other. The Equality Act 2010 replaced all other legislation and provides guidance for employers on how to create a fair and legally compliant work place regarding equal opportunities and treatment of staff.

Diversity in the workplace refers to the individual differences between staff; this includes life style choice, sexuality, gender, religion etc. and valuing them.

Inclusion in the workplace refers to how an employer responds to diversity and equality and creates a workplace where all members of the work force are accepted and treated with respect.

      1.2   The Equality Act 2010 impacts on all areas and processes within the workplace. An employer must act fairly during the recruitment process and not show bias based on the “protected characteristics” outlined in the Act. Once in post staff can expect to be treated equally and promoted on merit and ability. If staff feel their employer is in violation of The Equality Act they are able to raise an official complaint.

Employers may also have policies allowing employees to exercise their “protected characteristics” for example, access to a prayer room or flexible working patterns.

Organisations and employers regularly monitor diversity in the workplace.

      1.3 The Equality Act 2010 replaced all previous legislation on equality in the workplace, such as The Race Relations Act 1976 and The Disability Discrimination Act 1995. This Act now provides a single guide to help employers meet with the law and create an equal workplace. The Act covers nine “Protected Characteristics”;
      * Age
      * Disability
      * Gender reassignment
      * Race
      * Religion or belief
      * Sex
      * Sexual orientation
      *...