Three of the UK’s most influential work-relations bodies are
to be brought together under one umbrella, the Cabinet Office has announced.
RREAS (Race Relations Employment Advisory System) and
Equality Direct, the equality in the workplace hotline, are to be combined with
Acas, the employment relations service.
The decision has been hailed by the organisations involved
as a landmark in the progression towards building a more comprehensive service.
Acas chief executive John Taylor said, “This is a welcome
move, as it will strengthen our expertise in this very important area of
employment relations. With its unique
impartial position, working in partnership with employers, employees, trade
unions and other representatives alike, Acas is ideally placed to deliver an
agenda of diversity in the workplace.
“RREAS and Equality Direct have very similar aims to our own
– in fact, Acas is already a partner in Equality Direct. I am delighted that Acas
has been asked to take this work forward.”
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By Ben Willmott