Broker launches e-diversity scheme

City insurance broker Markel has introduced an e-learning system to raise diversity aware-ness among its workers.

The learning package will help to educate staff on legal issues in the workplace, following the recent spate of high-profile employment tribunal cases in the City.

The programme is designed to promote a liberal and progressive working environment and inform employees on issues such as harassment, bullying and discrimination.

Markel's training and recruitment specialist Ella Gosling admitted the industry had poor levels of diversity and said the scheme would increase awareness across the company.

"We developed it to raise awareness of the rights and responsibilities that staff have at work. Hopefully, after the training, everybody in the workforce will be more aware," she said.

The e-learning package is on the company intranet, so staff do not have to set time aside to attend a classroom course.

"Underwriters are often out of the office, so this was a far more convenient way to deliver the training," she said.

The modular programme, developed by Marshall ACM, also covers equal opportunities and equal pay. In the scheme's first month, 10 per cent of employees have been trained.

The course is the first in a series of learning programmes. E-based training on stress management and time management will be launched later this year.