The Times 100 | Latest News | Discrimination

Discrimination

A large discrimination case is currently underway against a major investment bank in London and New York, involving alleged discrimination against 500 women (BBC, 15^th June 2007).  There have been problems in reporting many of the previous cases because of gagging clauses on settlements, however the BBC has now produced a fictional drama series that is inspired by the stories of sexual discrimination within the city (BBC Video clip).

Many organisations within the city have specialist teams that implement diversity recruitment schemes and monitor equality within the workplace.  Whilst ensuring that they stay within the law, these organisations may also find other wider benefits. The Times 100 case study for Lloyds TSB highlights the benefits of diversity recruitment, enabling it to attract a wider range of skills and talents and encourage creativity and innovation.

There have been many laws introduced over the years to protect against discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, sexual orientation, disabilities and age, both within the workplace and elsewhere.  The Government is now proposing a new Single Equality Bill, which aims to cover this patchwork of laws.  The Green Paper on the area, which serves as a discussion paper for a future bill, is to be discussed until September (BBC, 12^th June 2007).  Whilst the proposed bill should help simplify the laws, many campaigners are calling for the laws to go further.     

References:

Sexual discrimination in the City - BBC News, 15 June 2007

Equality law 'should go further', BBC News, 12 June 2007

http://www.thetimes100.co.uk/case-study--the-business-benefits-diversity--99-270-1.php

Video clips:

BBC - Sex, The City and Me

Suggested research project:

Visit the following websites and identify the different areas of equality that each commission is currently campaigning for:

-          Equal Opportunities Commission http://www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=0

-          Commission for Racial Equality http://www.drc-gb.org/

-          Disability Rights Commission website http://www.cre.gov.uk/ 

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