Equality and diversity latest news

This page contains the latest news on equality and diversity issues, as well as brief updates on what other trusts are doing in this area.

Outcome of the Heyday challenge - default retirement age

23 September 2008

The Advocate General has announced that UK national legislation that allows employers to retire employees at 65 or over, is not in breach of European law. Early next year, the High Court will now decide whether 65 can be justified as a retirement age. Regardless of the outcome, employers are advised to apply good practice in relation to Employment Equality (Age) Regulations to attract and retain skilled employees.

Disability Standard 2009 - discounted registration fee

22 September 2008

NHS Employers has negotiated a discounted rate with the Employers' Forum on Disability for the first 50 NHS organisations to sign up for the Disability Standard 2009. The Standard is an online benchmarking and management tool that measures an employer's performance on disability as it affects every part of their organisation. Participating organisations will benefit from online access to the tool, diagnostic reports and support from dedicated advice teams and networks. See our disability section for details of the full programme benefits and discounted rate.

Islington tribunal ruling

Employers may be aware that Islington Council has lost an employment tribunal, when a registrar's current employment was threatened after she refused to officiate at a gay marriage because it conflicted with her own religious (Christian) beliefs. The council is currently considering challenging the ruling which has potential implications for all other public bodies, particularly where personal beliefs may impact on an individual's ability to perform public functions.

Stonewall, the organisation that promotes equality for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals, has has issued a response to the ruling stating that staff who perform public functions should not be able to choose who they deliver those services to. We will continue to update you on this case but trusts are aware, that all public bodies are required to meet the duties across the key diversity strands. For more details contact carol.baxter@nhsemloyers.org

NHS Employer response - human rights inquiry

16 July 2008

NHS Employers has responded to the Equality and Human Rights Commission's human rights inquiry, based on employers' views. The inquiry is focusing on how public authorities are using the Human Rights Act, including examples of good practice, and where organisations may need additional support. The responses will inform the Commission's inquiry report which is expected in March 2009.

For more details email paul.deemer@nhsemployers.org

Race for Opportunity benchmarking results - 2008

7 July 2008

Race for Opportunity (RfO) has published its 2008 Benchmarking Report that maps current trends and challenges on ethnic diversity, and ranks the top ten organisations with the most improved racial diversity. The report covers 85 of the organisation's 170 members in both the private and public sector and ranks Lloyds TSB as improving the most in this area, since its first survey in 2001, with the army and the Department for Work and Pension ranking fourth and seventh respectively.

For more details on the report see www.bitc.org.uk For more information about how NHS Employers is working with Race for Opportunity please email mohamed.jogi@nhsemployers.org.

Framework for Equality Bill published

26 June 2008

The government has published its draft Equality Bill that aims to simplify and strengthen the law covering the three existing equality duties and extend it to gender reassignment, age, sexual orientation and religion or belief. A more comprehensive paper will be published in July that will include the government's response to its 2007 consultation on its proposal to introduce the single Bill. See the diversity strands web page or more information.

Medical Women's Federation - Making part-time work

26 June 2008

The Medical Women's Federation, funded by the Equalities Office, has published recommendations on part-time working in the medical profession for women and all part time doctors. Recommendations include making part time training more accessible through innovative job design and more flexible rotas. This aims to help women reacquire clinical skills after a career break and promotes part time working through mentors and role models.

We will be working with the Medical Women's Federation to showcase the good practice identified in the report and support employers in implementing the recommendations, through our wider diversity work.

To view the report visit the Medical Women's Federation website