Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise
  • OHW+

Employment lawEquality, diversity and inclusion

Did the April Fool wedding ring article go too far?

by Personnel Today 12 Apr 2010
by Personnel Today 12 Apr 2010

Personnel Today published an April Fool’s article online last week – ‘Equality Bill amendment bans wedding rings from workplace to protect divorcees’ – which led to the following comments in HR Space…

When I first saw this, my reaction was, literally, “it’s political correctness gone mad”. I was going to fire off a comment on HR Space, and was wondering how I could petition the old folks (oops, ageism) at the House of Lords to put a stop to the madness. Then I clicked on the ‘read more’ link at the bottom. I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I clearly have to get out more.
Owen

You nearly got me going! I felt my hackles rise and had a flash-forward of thousands of people ready to wage war. Halfway through I started to doubt it and thought: “This has got to be an April Fool.” Thank God I was right. I couldn’t cope with all our employees’ anger.
Linda

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

This only works because we know how close to reality it is. What seemed like a straightforward idea to consolidate and re-affirm existing legislation seems to be turning into “political correctness gone mad”, as the Daily Mail might put it. Discrimination in the workplace is wrong, for whatever reason, but that squeaking noise you hear is the sound of lawyers’ palms being rubbed together with glee.
HR Vix

On a serious note, this April Fool article risks bolstering the views of those who feel equality legislation has already gone too far – as witnessed by other comments. So, as someone who seeks to show why equality and diversity is important and relevant in today’s workplace, I feel this was a poorly judged move by Personnel Today. In my opinion, it is likely to advance the idea of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
E-mail address supplied

Personnel Today

previous post
Labour election manifesto: Key points for employers
next post
Employee Assistance Professionals Association: New note is fit for purpose

You may also like

Government publishes ‘roadmap’ for Employment Rights Bill

1 Jul 2025

One in eight senior NHS managers from black...

1 Jul 2025

Employers’ duty of care: keeping workers safe in...

27 Jun 2025

Progressive DEI policy is a red line for...

27 Jun 2025

When will the Employment Rights Bill become law?

26 Jun 2025

Seven ways to prepare now for the Employment...

20 Jun 2025

BBC Breakfast bullying and misconduct allegations under investigation

20 Jun 2025

Finance professionals expect less emphasis on ESG and...

18 Jun 2025

Lack of role models a ‘barrier’ for people...

17 Jun 2025

Pride 2025: why corporate allyship still matters

16 Jun 2025

  • Empowering working parents and productivity during the summer holidays SPONSORED | Businesses play a...Read more
  • AI is here. Your workforce should be ready. SPONSORED | From content creation...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise
  • OHW+