Equality and Diversity Awareness

The aim of this blog post is to raise awareness about equality and diversity.

So, first of all, a brief definition of each is needed.

Equality is about ‘creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential’ 

Diversity literally means difference. When it is used as a contrast or addition to equality, it is about recognising individual as well as group differences, treating people as individuals, and placing positive value on diversity in the community and in the workforce.

If these two principles are not followed then it can lead to stereotypical prejudices. Click on the picture below to make it bigger and see if you can remember a time when you felt something similar. How did that make you feel? If you are in a group, and feel comfortable enough, share these feelings with your peers.

We will now run through a number of labels that can lead to a lack of diversity and equality and each will include a link to a relevant news article that you can read in your groups, or alone, and think about the message that the article is putting across.


AGE

A number of age discrimination obstacles that you may come across:

• Too old
• Too young
• Not enough experience
• Over qualified

 Here is a news article looking at age discrimination within the South Wales police force: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/South-Wales-Police-faces-huge-legal-bills-losing/story-20575768-detail/story.html

 GENDER

From a young age we are told that there are 'boy jobs' and 'girl jobs.' Why not have a think about what could be called a 'boy job' or a 'girl job.' Do you think that some jobs are more geared towards men/women?

Here is a news article about sex discrimination in the workplace: http://mg.co.za/article/2014-01-30-female-graduate-wins-first-gender-bias-lawsuit-in-china/ Do you agree that the woman in question should have sued?

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

It was only in 2010 that the Equality Act changed to its guidelines to include that it was unlawful to discriminate against workers because of sexual orientation.

Take a look at the article below on gay rights in regards to the winter Olympics:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26043872 

RACE

The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against employees because of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin.
There are four types of race discrimination.

• Direct discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of their actual or perceived race, or because of the race of someone with whom they associate. An example of this could be refusing to employ someone solely because they are a particular race
• Indirect discrimination: can occur where there is a policy, practice or procedure which applies to all workers, but particularly disadvantages people of a particular race. An example could be a requirement for all job applicants to have GCSE Maths and English: people educated in countries which don't have GCSEs would be discriminated against if equivalent qualifications were not accepted.
• Harassment: when unwanted conduct related to race has the purpose or effect of violating an individual's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual
• Victimisation: unfair treatment of an employee who has made or supported a complaint about racial discrimination.

 There has been a number of recent cases regarding racism and football. Have a look at the below news articles and discuss how racism can affect both the players and fans of football.


 http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/racism-football-probe-after-accused-6678407

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/10588987/Stan-Collymore-calls-for-Twitter-action-over-racist-abuse.html

DISABILITY

The Equality Act 2010 provides disabled people with protection from discrimination in the work place:

• Employers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate a worker with a disability.
• Disabled employees are protected from harassment at work.
• Employers should have polices in place to prevent discrimination.

Below is an article looking at employment opportunities for disabled young people in Scotland:
 http://www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1562261/scotland-boosts-employment-oppertunities-young-disabled-people

Do you agree that some jobs should focus on employing people with disabilities?

 RELIGION AND BELIEF


The Equality Act 2010 states that it is unlawful to discriminate against workers because of their religion or belief or lack of religion or belief.
Discrimination covers four areas:

• direct discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of their actual or perceived religion and belief, or because of the religion or belief of someone with whom they associate
• indirect discrimination: can occur where there is a policy, practice or procedure which applies to all workers, but particularly disadvantages workers who hold a particular religion or belief
• harassment: when unwanted conduct related to religion or belief has the purpose or effect of violating an individual's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual
• victimisation: unfair treatment of an worker who has made or supported a complaint about discrimination because of religion or belief

Do you agree with what is being discussed in this online article?:

http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/x/291230/Discrimination+Disability+Sexual+Harassment/Do+We+Live+in+Society+Where+Blessing+Someone+is+Religious+Harassment


Hopefully this blog post has helped your understanding about the different types of discrimination that some people may face during their working life.

Paige & Sophie