The Equality Act and Employers: Addressing New Workplace Challenges
Date: Tuesday, 12th October 2010
Time: 10.40am – 3.15pm (including networking lunch)
Venue: The Commonwealth C lub, London
Cost: £225 per place or £175 for two or more places
“Since 1998 there has been an almost inexorable rise in the number of employment tribunals, with an average of 20,000 more new cases each year than in the previous one….Legislation created in the UK is also a big cause of the relentless increase in tribunals, and there is strong evidence that case numbers increase even faster in the years after new legislation is enacted”.
- James Wilders, Employment Partner, Dickinson Dees, March 2010
“Workers and employers are increasingly taking steps to avoid employment tribunals. The current economic climate has created difficult workplace challenges for managers, HR professionals and employees. The earlier issues can be sorted out, the more likely people will remain productive employees in the workplace”.
- Ed Sweeney, Chair of Acas, March 2010
The Context
With the Equality Bill now an Act, employers from across the public and private sector will have to ensure that they are compliant with the new employment legislation. The recent equal pay employment tribunal ruling against Birmingham City Council highlights the danger of not having effective measures in place, with the largest local authority in the UK liable for a potential £600 million pay out. With a fairly weak economy and figures from the Dickinson Dees Employment Tribunal Trends Index outlining a 370,000 rise in employment tribunals at an estimated cost of £2.6 billion over the next three years for UK employers, compliance with the new workplace requirements becomes ever more critical.
Confirmed Speakers Include:
- Alan Christie, Director of Policy, Strategy Directorate, EHRC
- Steve Williams, Head of Equality, Acas
- Carol Baxter, Head of Equality and Diversity and Human rights, NHS Employers
- Rachel Dineley, Partner – Specialist in Equality Bill & Employment, Beachcroft LLP
- Sarah Churchman, Head of Diversity, PWC
- Julie Amory, Equality & Inclusion Manager, Olympic Delivery Authority
The Issues
Throughout the day delegates will have the chance to engage with the panel, investigating key issues such as:
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Outlining the timetable of the provisions of the Act and its implications for employers
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Harmonisation & extension of discrimination law: measures employers need to put in place
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Understanding the applicability of positive action in recruitment and promotion
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Pre-employment health checks: what questions can be asked?
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Examining the necessary conditions for gender pay gap audits
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The overturning of secrecy clauses: allowing discussion of pay levels
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Getting ready for the single equality duty and what it means beyond the public sector
Objectives and Outcomes
The morning of this Policy and Practice Briefing will provide delegates with a forum to discuss the Equality Act in the context of its implications for employers and the challenges they should be aware of and addressing to ensure compliance. Delegates will gain a comprehensive view of current issues and thinking.
The afternoon will be highly interactive, investigating examples of successful and effective practical case studies that employers are using in both the public and private sector to better engage with their employees in relation to the new provisions outlined in the Act. Delegates will gain ideas and insights to take back to their organisations and roles.
Who should Attend?
Delegates will be drawn primarily from HR, equality and diversity, and employment professionals from local authorities; the NHS; education bodies; police and the emergency services; central government departments & bodies; employment and HR legal advice service providers; employment consultants; equality in the workplace advocates and NGOs; and academics.
Registration Options
