A new era for equality and human rights in Britain?
At long last Britain’s new Equality and Human Rights Commission has opened its doors for business. I shall have to get used to saying “EHRC” rather than “CEHR” (Commission for Equality and Human Rights), which is what those of us working on equalities and human rights issues have been saying and thinking since the Equality Act came onto the statute book in 2006.
It will be interesting to see how the EHRC picks up the work of the so-called “legacy commissions” - the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Disability Rights Commission - without, we hope, dropping the ball in any of the old equality strands (race, gender, disability). At the same time, the EHRC has to develop guidance and work in the so-called “new equality strands” of religion or belief, sexual orientation, and age.
As a Baha’i and as Chair of the Religion and Belief Consultative Group on Equality and Human Rights (RBCG) I have a particular interest in the religion or belief strand and will be keeping a close eye on developments. The greatest challenge for the EHRC will be in creating a culture in which human rights and equalities are promoted and provide a space for human dignity and human flourishing.
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2 comments
Yes, the effects of employment legislation around the strands you mention has been exercising those of us in the UK HR community recently.
It’s been important to ensure that policy is up to date, but more importantly, that managers understand the issues. There tends to be a feeling that these strands are mere ‘political correctness’, so some gentle education has been in order.
Sad that we have to legislate and have commissions to ensure we are all equal in the sight of our fellows…
I completely agree with you about the need to help managers think beyond the “political correctness” picture - we are talking about impacts on real people’s lives. I’ve heard Rita Donaghy, now former chair of ACAS, speak about the impact on employees’ lives of discrimination and lack of equity at work - often aided and abetted by employers and managers.
Yes, it is very sad indeed that we have to legislate and have commissions to ensure equality. And, in reality, they don’t ensure equality. What they do is to set a framework in which equality is more likely and can be enforced. What they don’t do is to reach into people’s hearts and transform their relationships with their fellow human beings.
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