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28/02/2002
Smaller businesses ambivalent about Equal Opportunities
According to a survey published this month nearly two-thirds of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK feel that Equal Opportunities legislation has no impact on their business.
The research, which was carried out by Template Surveys on behalf of business consultancy SGS Consulting, found that identical proportions of SMEs (19 per cent) feel that Equal Opportunities legislation is beneficial and unfavourable.
These figures show a general ambivalence regarding laws designed to create equality in employment. The main legal reference points on Equal Opportunities are the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act which makes it illegal for employers to discriminate on the grounds of sex, the 1970 Equal Pay Act which ensures that pay rates are the same for identical or similar jobs and the 1976 Race Relations Act which outlaws discrimination on the grounds of colour, race, nationality and ethnic origin.
In March 2001 the government announced plans to appoint "fair pay champions" in an effort to combat the growing wage gap between men and women.
The survey relates to data collected from responses to an online questionnaire posted on the Internet and circulated in January 2002 by email to 5,000 Managing Directors of UK firms employing less than 500 staff.
(MB)
The research, which was carried out by Template Surveys on behalf of business consultancy SGS Consulting, found that identical proportions of SMEs (19 per cent) feel that Equal Opportunities legislation is beneficial and unfavourable.
These figures show a general ambivalence regarding laws designed to create equality in employment. The main legal reference points on Equal Opportunities are the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act which makes it illegal for employers to discriminate on the grounds of sex, the 1970 Equal Pay Act which ensures that pay rates are the same for identical or similar jobs and the 1976 Race Relations Act which outlaws discrimination on the grounds of colour, race, nationality and ethnic origin.
In March 2001 the government announced plans to appoint "fair pay champions" in an effort to combat the growing wage gap between men and women.
The survey relates to data collected from responses to an online questionnaire posted on the Internet and circulated in January 2002 by email to 5,000 Managing Directors of UK firms employing less than 500 staff.
(MB)
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17 February 2005
Knowledge gap holds back equal pay, says Acas
Low levels of understanding by employees and employers is one of the key factors holding back the establishment of equal pay, employment relations group, Acas, has claimed.
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Low levels of understanding by employees and employers is one of the key factors holding back the establishment of equal pay, employment relations group, Acas, has claimed.
11 March 2002
Employers urged to address issue of equal pay
Employers have been urged to apply for a Castle Award, the new mark of excellence which will reward employers’ efforts in tackling equal pay issues.
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Employers have been urged to apply for a Castle Award, the new mark of excellence which will reward employers’ efforts in tackling equal pay issues.
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Irish employers anticipate improvement in hiring activity
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Irish employers anticipate improvement in hiring activity
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08 January 2002
Discrimination awards in UK reach record highs
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Discrimination awards in UK reach record highs
Employment tribunals in the UK have awarded a record £3.53 million in compensation in unlawful discrimination cases in 2000. According to the latest figures, this represents an increase of 38 per cent on the total payouts made in the previous year.
14 August 2002
Raw deal for women
Women graduates still earn less than men across all sectors and occupations in the UK, according to a new Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) report published on August 13.
Raw deal for women
Women graduates still earn less than men across all sectors and occupations in the UK, according to a new Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) report published on August 13.
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