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Think, Act, Report. Programme manager: Katrina Lidbetter www.homeoffice.gov.uk/tar. Outline of presentation. Context: women in the workplace: the challenges to equality; and
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Think, Act, Report Programme manager: Katrina Lidbetter www.homeoffice.gov.uk/tar
Outline of presentation • Context: women in the workplace: • the challenges to equality; and • Government’s approach, in partnership with business, developing a fair and flexible labour market that uses the talents of all; • Legislation and alternatives • Think, Act, Report initiative • What the initiative aims to do and why • The three step approach • Who we are working with • Progress to date – one year on report - over a million employees in organisations signed up • Why sign up - the benefits of gender reporting for an organisation And then • Presentation from one of the organisations signed up to Think, Act, Report – leading law firm, DWF.
Government Action • Women’s Business Council – reporting next May • Business mentors for female entrepreneurs • £2 million to support women’s enterprise in rural areas • Review into access to finance for women entrepreneurs, working with British Banking Association • Extending right to request flexible working to all employees – helping all carers to balance work and family life • Lord Davies review into women on boards – recommendations that listed companies should publish data on women in senior posts and in company as a whole – good progress to date
Legislation • Strong legislation to tackle discrimination – brought together into one Act, Equality Act 2010, implemented by this Government. • Equality Act 2010 made pay secrecy clauses unlawful; positive action can be used in recruitment and promotion; protection against discrimination by association. • Equality Act also includes power (section 78) to require companies to report on gender pay information. • Building a Fairer Britain: “While we work with business and others to ensure the voluntary approach is successful, we will not commence, amend or repeal section 78.”
Think, Act, Report • The Think, Act, Report framework asks private and voluntary sector employers to promote greater transparency gender equality by signing up to Think, Act, Report • Developed with the help of EHRC and CBI • Launched by Minister for Women and Equalities on 14 September 2011 • Launched with Eversheds, BT, Tesco; and the CBI. • Voluntary, flexible approach, led by business • Aimed at medium to large private and voluntary sector organisations (public sector organisations are covered by the public sector equality duty) • Companies decide that to publish and where – no requirement to publish pay data - different companies will be at different points on the journey – aim is to publish more as work progresses
Think, Act, Report Not everyone is at the same point on the journey, so we identified three stages: Thinkidentify any issues around gender equality Act take action to address those issues, then Report publicise progress, internally and externally Key points: • It is entirely up to you to decide what to publish • There’s no requirement to publish your gender pay gap • There’s no new report to Government or anyone else – but we publish your case studies if you’d like us to do so
Why sign-up? Better for business, better for staff, customers and investors • Sends message to employees, customers, investors about commitment to gender equality – strong reputational value • Opportunities to share experiences and good practice with other businesses • Companies with more diverse staff – better able to understand customers (70% of household purchasing decisions made by women) • Some research that companies with diverse boards deliver better return on investment
Progress so far Over 50 major companies signed up 1m 2m UK Workforce in Medium/Large orgs (150+) Current TAR sign ups 0% 10% 20%
Next Steps Overall aim: build a culture where promoting gender equality openly and transparently is the norm. To do this we are: Working in Partnership to recognise best practice, eg • Working with ENEI • Working with Opportunity Now - Transparency Award April 2013 Getting the word out • Digital tools – website with sign-up form; twitter, linked-in • Encouraging companies already signed-up to talk to their suppliers and other organisations in their sector • Sector-specific round tables with equality ministers (eg retail roundtable; banking breakfast; law society event; round table with Linklaters;) Networks and networking • eg:Women in Rail – supporting their event April 2013
Want to learn more? Visit our website at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/tar Read our annual report and flyer Email us at thinkactreport@geo.gsi.gov.ukor call us on 0207 035.... • Katrina Lidbetter (3803) • James Charlton (1457)