New E&D guidance for small businesses

Inspection will evaluate the extent to which you ‘actively promote equality and diversity among employers’. Have you thought about using new Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance for small businesses, as a means of raising awareness with the employers you are working in partnership with?

In March 2013, the Equality and Human Rights Commission published a new ‘easy to understand’ guide for small businesses on the Equality Act 2010. It includes practical advice in managing recruitment and promotion, and what they need to do to stay within the law. The guide also shows how preventing discrimination and promoting equality can help reduce costs, retain and attract the best staff and improve business productivity and performance.

A further guide helps businesses identify and manage human rights issues that might arise

Dr Karen Jochelson, Director at the Commission, said:

Both sets of guidance explain the law and the steps businesses of all sizes should take to minimise any financial or reputational risk that might occur if they breach the legislation. As well as complying with the law, it will also help businesses to treat customers and staff fairly and with dignity and respect, which is at the heart of both the Equality Act and global standards for businesses’ responsibility to respect human rights.

To read the new guidance, click here