Supplier Development Programme Equality : a short introduction Webinar Welcome We will start shortly Dr Donald Macaskill 17th March 2015

What is equality and diversity? The Equality Act 2010 What does it mean for your organisation? The role of policies in procurement. 17th March 2015

What’s in a word? Equality and Diversity What do they mean for you? What issues or questions do you have re equality and diversity? 17th March 2015

Political Correctness gone mad! Everyone should be treated the same, right? Being ‘nice’ to minority groups! It means no one can take a joke anymore! Bureaucratic red tape I am not a racist, sexist or homophobic, but if I… Giving black people and women jobs they can’t do Watering down our own culture to accommodate foreigners culture! It means not saying what you really think!

 Equality is the current term for ‘Equal Opportunities’. It is based on the legal obligation to comply with anti-discrimination legislation. Equality protects people from being discriminated against on the grounds of group membership i.e. sex, race disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, or age. 17th March 2015

What’s in a word? An equal society protects and promotes equal, real freedom and substantive opportunity to live in the ways people value and would choose, so that everyone can flourish. An equal society recognises people’s different needs, situations and goals, and removes the barriers that limit what people can do and can be. (Equality Review definition 2007) 17th March 2015

 Diversity implies a wide range of conditions and characteristics. In terms of businesses and their workforces it is about valuing and reaping the benefits of a varied workforce that makes the best of people’s talents whatever their backgrounds. Diversity encompasses visible and non-visible individual differences. It can be seen in the makeup of your workforce in terms of gender, ethnic minorities, disabled people etc. 17th March 2015

Single Equality Act The Act became law in April Most of its provisions were enacted on 1 st October The Public Sector Equality Duties mainly came into force on 8 th April It concentrates on  Simplifying the legislation  Enacting positive action measures re gender and race  Using public sector procurement in a proactive way 17th March 2015

age disability gender gender reassignment marriage & civil partnership pregnancy & maternity race religion & belief sexual orientation Protected Characteristics 17th March 2015

The protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010:  age  disability  gender reassignment  marriage and civil partnership  pregnancy and maternity  race – this includes ethnic or national origins, colour and nationality  religion or belief  sex, and  sexual orientation. 17th March 2015

Single Equality Act The law places special responsibilities on public authorities – including local authorities to promote equality. This has a knock-on effect on private and voluntary sector organisations that carry out ‘functions of a public nature’ on behalf of public authorities. This could include providing services directly to a section of the public such as through holding a public contract. Along with public authorities, such organisations also have to: · promote equality of opportunity · promote good relations · promote positive attitudes · eliminate harassment · eliminate unlawful discrimination.

1. Law  Statutory requirement –failure to do so could be very costly 2. Business Case  Accessing talent, skills and ability from the widest available sources  Accessing potential markets/service users 3. Moral Case  Societies expectations  Right thing to do!  Reputation 15th January 2015

Contact Dr Donald Macaskill Equal and Diverse th March 2015