Diversity given low priority despite legislation, survey shows

UK employers are failing to address workplace diversity, despite the country’s long standing equality legislation.

A survey conducted by online recruitment firm Monster, questioning 660 employers, found that six in 10 respondents did not have a diverse workforce or were unaware whether they did.

Four in 10 said diversity is a “big priority”, while 36% said it was not at all, with 15% unsure.

One employer in 10 said was starting to think about it, but was not yet a reality.

The Employment Equality Regulations are due to be updated later this year to ensure the Equal Treatment Directive is adequately implemented.

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Rob Brouwer, chief executive of Monster UK and Ireland, said: “Employers may not be aware of the rewards a diverse workforce can reap for their business. People from different backgrounds provide the workforce with a broader skill set and cultural differences in practice and enables you to select from a bigger pool of candidates.”