The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has published its revised Code of Practice for employers, updating the original which came into effect in 1984.
The updated code on racial equality in employment was published last week, following consultation with employers to reflect current legislation and the modern workplace.
When the code takes legal effect on 6 April 2006, employment tribunals will take its recommendations into account as evidence in any legal proceedings brought under the Race Relations Act.
It provides employers with tribunal case law examples and detailed guidance on topics such as ethnic monitoring, anti-harassment and racial equality policies.
Trevor Phillips, chairman of the CRE, said the point of the guidance was to help employers feel comfortable and confident about meeting their legal obligations.
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“We hope it will help them embrace changes to the law, enabling them to be modern and progressive employers who can harness the skills and talents of an international workforce,” he said.
The code also contains specific recommendations for unions and other membership organisations, recruitment agencies and there is a separate chapter on the rights and responsibilities of workers.
