Equality & Diversity

Equality & Diversity For All By Mona Patel

We are responsible for developing and putting into practice the University’s Equality & Diversity agenda. Meet your E&D Team From left to right: Mona Patel, E&D Officer, Katherine Wrigglesworth, E&D Asst, Wendy Kenyon, E&D Manager & Vicci Jarman, E&D Co-ordinator. By M Patel

FAIR PLAY QUIZ TIME! By M Patel

Question 1 Which of the following characteristics are NOT protected by anti-discrimination law? • Age • Sex • Disability • Alcoholism • Pregnancy and maternity • Obesity • Sexual orientation • Ginger hair • Marriage and civil partnership • Gender reassignment • Race • Religion

ANSWER Discrimination on grounds of d) alcoholism, f) obesity and h) ginger hair are not currently limited by discrimination law.

Question 2 Positive action allows employers to automatically offer employment opportunities to people from under-represented groups to improve the diversity of their workforce. True or false? By M Patel

ANSWER FALSE An employer can take a protected characteristic into consideration when deciding whom to recruit or promote, where people with the protected characteristic are at a disadvantage or are underrepresented (for example, women or men in specific professions).

Question 3 An employee believes they have been discriminated against at work and goes to an Employment Tribunal. At the Employment Tribunal, the employee has to prove that s/he has been discriminated against. True or False?

Answer FALSE Once a prima facie case of discrimination is established, the burden of proof shifts to the employer to prove they did not discriminate.

Question 4 If you were picked on at work because you were friends with a gay man, could YOU take action against your employer? Yes or No?

Answer YES This is known as ‘discrimination by association’. It refers to a situation where an individual is discriminated against through their association with another person.

Question 5 A woman returns from ordinary maternity leave (i.e. the initial 26 week period) to find that changes have been made to working practice that make it difficult for her to continue working due to her childcare commitments. Her employer did not consult her over these changes and cannot offer her an alternative position. Is this discriminatory?

Answer YES An employee is entitled to return to the same job during or after the ordinary maternity leave period (i.e. the initial 26 weeks) on the same terms and conditions of employment as if she had not been absent.

Question 6 The World Health Organisation (WHO) declassified homosexuality as a mental illness in 1978. True or False? By M Patel & K Lee

Answer FALSE It was 1990 On 17 May 1990, the WHO endorsed an intention to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) as a mental disorder.

What is Equality of Opportunity? By M Patel

Why do I need to know? Benefits to MMU: • To attract & retain the best staff & students from the widest pool of talent; • Improves educational opportunities; • Treating staff/students fairly creates a good working and learning environment; • The Equality Act 2010 Benefits for You: • Your right to be treated fairly and with respect; • Being aware of how to treat others with different needs; • Helping to shape the E&D agenda… By M Patel

What can you do? • Have your say! Get involved in consultation  Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) • Familiarize yourself with the University’s Equality & Diversity Policy • Tell us about YOU • Join in focus groups and staff networks By M Patel

What kind of support is available?1. Staff Networks All forums meet at least once a term and report back to the DEOC. By M Patel

What kind of support is available? 2. Development & Training • Training Courses • E-learning Courses 3. Other Support • Anti-Bullying & Harassment Advisors Network 4. Useful Resources: 4.1 Diversity Calendar 4.2 Disability Disclosure Guide 4.3Website: www.mmu.ac.uk/humanresources/equalities/ By M Patel

ANY QUESTIONS? “Universities are the gateway to careers; champions to civilisation and culture bringing challenges and perspectives on equality” ~ David Ruebain, Chief Executive of the Equality Challenge Unit, June 2010 By M Patel

Equality & Diversity