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Equal Opportunities
Given below is information on equal opportunities how your business can benefit by adopting good practice in this area.
Regardless of the size of your business, these issues apply to you. The information below should help you to understand how equal opportunities relates to you, how your business can benefit by implementing an equal opportunities policy, and who to contact for more information.
What ?
The concept of equal opportunities is as relevant now as it has ever been, and refers to an approach whereby everyone has equal access to an environment or to benefits; preventing unlawful discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief.
What is covered by equal opportunities legislation ?
The law relating to equal opportunities covers all aspects of employment, from recruitment through to retirement, redundancy or dismissal. Additionally it may apply to services you provide, tenders you invite, and to any business dealings you undertake.
Why are equal opportunities important to me ?
There are clear benefits available to businesses that promote equal opportunities. Achieving best practice can help your business recruit and keep valuable staff, widen your customer base and improve both innovation and access to new markets.
Where can I get further information and support ?
There is a wide variety of information available to help businesses develop an equal opportunity policy. Listed below are a few of the organisations which can provide you with advice and support. Further information can also be found on the Opportunity Wales Web Site – www.opportunitywales.co.uk.
| Support Organisations | | | | | ACAS www.acas.org.uk/ ACAS Helpline 08457 47 47 47 ACAS Equality Direct 08456 00 34 44 | ACAS aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. We provide up-to-date information, independent advice, high quality training and we work with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance. | | | | DTI Employee Relations www.dti.gov.uk/er/index.htm 020 7215 5000 | The Employee Relations Directorate deals with relationships between workers and their employers, including individual rights as well as collective arrangements. | | | | Chwarae Teg www.chwaraeteg.com 029 2047 8900 | Chwarae Teg was established in 1992 to support, develop and expand the role of women in the Welsh economy. | | | | SME Equality Project www.wda.co.uk/index.cfm/opportunities_for_people/ sme_equality_project/en7691 07796 991281 | Supported by the WDA and ESF, the SME Equality Project Provides assistance to companies to develop a diverse and productive workforce. | | | | | Information Providers | | | | | Commission for Racial Equality www.cre.gov.uk/wales 02920 729 200 | Working towards the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equality of opportunity and good race relations across Wales. | | | | Welsh Language Board www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/ 029 2087 8000 | Aims to make it easier for everyone to use Welsh in all walks of life. | | | | Disability Wales www.disabilitywales.org/ 029 2088 7325 | The national association of disability groups striving to achieve rights, equality and choice for all disabled people in Wales. | | | | RNIB www.rnib.org.uk 029 2045 0440 | The UK’s leading charity offering information support and advice to those with sight problems. | | | | RNID Cymru www.rnid.org.uk/ 02920 333 034 | Provides information and support on all aspects of deafness. | | | | Age Positive www.agepositive.gov.uk/ | The Age Positive campaign promotes the benefits of employing a mixed-age workforce that includes older and younger people, providing advice and support in preparation of pending legislation in 2006. | | | | The Equal Opportunities Commission www.eoc.org.uk 029 2034 3552 | The Equal Opportunities Commission is the leading agency working to eliminate sex discrimination in 21st Century Britain. |
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