Equality And Diversity

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is working with the Government Equality Office to reform the Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) process used within public sector procurement, to provide more equality information. This builds on existing equality legislation which places a responsibility on public sector bodies to scrutinise their suppliers for equality compliance.

What does this mean for Recruitment Agencies?

In the future, public sector organisations will be using more in-depth measures to ensure they choose suppliers who are equality and diversity friendly. This is already happening and some Recruitment Agencies are using this to gain competitive advantage, and win more contracts! What should you do?

1: Update yourself on the relevant legislation: – Sex Discrimination Act (1975, amended 2003, 2005, 2008) and the Gender Equality Duty 2007 – Race Relations Act (amended 2003) Race Equality Duty 2001 – Disability Discrimination Act (1995,) Disability Equality Duty 2006 – Sexual Orientation Regulations 2003 – Religion/Belief System Regulations 2003 – Age Discrimination Regulations 2006

2: Promote Equality within your organisation: – Train your staff and publish equality policies on your website – Understand what equality measures your clients are undertaking – speak their language – Equality Impact Assess (a process which public sectors bodies are legally bound to carry out) your policies, procedures, and activities. – Invite clients to an open day, where equality is on the agenda

3: Capture Monitoring Statistics This means capturing employee and candidate statistics. This is a high priority as your public sector clients are required to submit this information as part of their own regulatory process. They are externally audited to ensure compliance. This isnt just tick boxing; its about providing measurable evidence that you are doing what you say in terms of equality. Some clients may ask to sample check how you do this by sitting in on your candidate interviews. Be proactive and offer this option, the chances are it will be kept to a minimum.

4: Promote what you are doing to existing and potential new clients Let potential and existing clients know what youre doing; this not only gives you competitive advantage, it helps clients in the achievement of their own equality aims.

What about the private sector? Whilst the private sector are required to comply with equality legislation, their remit is not as rigorous as the public sector. However, for reasons of economic and social responsibility many are opting to follow a more in-depth approach which in some cases mirrors the public sector. It would be advantageous for recruitment agencies to include private sector organisations in their drive for equality and competitive advantage.

For excellent quality diversity training and bullying and harassment courses, please go to http://www.diversitymckenzie.co.uk.

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