Promoting Equality in the Workplace: Promoting Equality in the Workplace Presented by Patricia Prendiville Executive Director, ILGA-Europe


Key provisions of the Framework Directive: Key provisions of the Framework Directive Prohibits direct and indirect discrimination on four grounds, including sexual orientation Applies to both public and private sectors and all types of working arrangements Places burden of proof on the employer


What is discrimination?: What is discrimination? Direct discrimination: takes place when a person is treated less favourably than another person of a different sexual orientation or a perception about a person’s sexual orientation Indirect discrimination: takes place when a person, because of their sexual orientation experiences a disadvantage as a result of an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice Harassment: unwanted conduct toward a person, on the basis of their sexual orientation, that has the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person and of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading and environment


Slide4: 1) Build a culture of respect Provide leadership at all levels: make public statements; have gay role models in the business; join corporate diversity programmes and equality awards Explicitly invite and include same-sex partners to the company’s social events 2) Support establishment of LGBT employee networks Good Business Practices: What can you do to promote equality?


Slide5: Tackle workplace bullying and harassment Policy that covers harassment on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression Available options to report problems Effective complaints mechanisms Publicise, implement and monitor equality policies you adopt 5) Provide training and awareness-raising to all employees


Slide6: 6) Review terms and conditions Grant equal compensation and benefits for same-sex partners Choose social providers (pension, life and health insurance companies) that are committed to equal treatment 7) Recruit, select and promote fairly Clear invitation to apply for jobs Transparent recruitment processes Awareness-raising for managers


Examples of Good Practices:Creating a culture of diversity: Examples of Good Practices: Creating a culture of diversity Barclays adopted an Equality and Diversity Charter signed by Barclays’ executive committee and appointed a senior executive as senior champion for sexual orientation Credit Suisse/First Boston sponsors Stonewall in the UK as part of external partnerships and outreach In 2005, the Swedish Armed Forces recruitment branch attended the Stockholm Pride.


Supporting LGBT employee networks: Supporting LGBT employee networks European companies which have LGBT employee networks include: Rainbow Group at IBM Kaleidoscope at British Telecom Energay in EDF and Gaz de France Ford Globe at Ford Schering AG Challenged invisibility of LGBT staff and issues by including a flyer about LGBT network in the company’s brochure


Fair and diverse recruitment: Fair and diverse recruitment JP Morgan undertook a recruitment campaign targeting LGBT university networks produced a gay-friendly careers booklet for Oxford University students Citigroup UK sponsored recruiting events and career fairs for gay and lesbian students at London Business School, Oxford, INSEAD and the LSE


Equal benefits for same-sex partners: Equal benefits for same-sex partners German Foreign Ministry: equal treatment for registered same-sex and heterosexual couples in the diplomatic service Spanish National Railway Company: all travel benefits extended to staff’s partners, whether married or unmarried, irrespective of sexual orientation


Training and awareness-raising: Training and awareness-raising The British Council has a Diversity Unit which: 1) runs one-day equal opportunity training for staff and managers on its Equal Opportunities Policy, on how the legal framework applies to the workplace 2) produced a Diversity CD circulated to all its staff around the world 3) included information on legislation, on useful contacts and examples of good practice on its Website


A few recommendations…: A few recommendations… Be proactive to promote equality rather that reactive to regulations and laws Follow the 7 steps to creating better employment practices Learn from examples of good practices Build dialogue with trade unions, social partners and relevant government agencies Don’t wait to get an action plan And remember that people are not simply their sexual orientation!


Useful links: Useful links ILGA-Europe: www.ilga-europe.org European Commission – DG Employment and Social Affairs (Anti-discrimination) Stonewall (UK) – Workplace programmes: www.stonewall.org.uk/workplace/ European Gay and Lesbian Managers: http://www.egma.cc/