This month’s news in brief
Public sector has duty to monitor ethnic staff
Public sector employers have a new duty to monitor the ethnic make up of
their staff in order to fulfil their general duty to promote race equality. A Code
of Practice issued by the Commission for Racial Equality on 3 December is
designed to help staff comply with new duties. They have until 31 May to
complete a race equality scheme detailing how they will monitor race issues.
Push for legislation to protect business leaders
The CBI is urging the Government to introduce legislation to help protect
business leaders from violent extremists. In its response to the Criminal
Justice and Police Act 2001 it urges the Government to stop publishing the home
addresses of directors in the registration of businesses at Companies House.
Sex discrimination win deemed as unreliable
Employment lawyers are warning employers not to rely on a victory by West
Yorkshire Police which recently won its sex discrimination case for refusing to
employ a transsexual as a police constable. The force successfully argued this
was justified as a genuine occupational requirement because the job involved
making intimate body searches.
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Safety policies needed for staff who drive
Employers could face prosecution if they do not have clear safety policies
protecting staff who drive during working hours. The proposals are contained in
the Health and Safety Commission report Tomorrow’s Roads – Safer for Everyone.
