Useful organisations
Here you will find a list of some of the organisations offering advice, support and information to employers and employees
Overview
Some organisations (like Stonewall or the Fawcett Society) focus on a specific minority group. Others (such as the Equalities and Human Rights Commission) cover all strands of diversity.
All these organisations stress that locating and selecting the most talented employees is not just a matter of advertising in targeted publications or claiming to be an inclusive organisation; it is also about employees seeking out their preferred employers.
One of the best ways that employers can send a positive signal to potential employees that their organisation welcomes particular groups is to be accredited by these organisations.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) aims to improve work life for employees and employers. It provides information, advice, training, workplace projects, conciliation and mediation.
Business in the Community
Business in the Community offers advice and guidance to businesses on how to act responsibly and make a positive impact on their local communities.
Changing Faces
Changing Faces is a UK charity that supports and represents people who have disfigurements to the face, hand or body. It works with employers and employees to offer support, advice and information about discrimination and to ensure a workplace culture of inclusion for people with disfigurements. Barclays Group was the first business to sign the 'Commitment to Face Equality'.
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
The CIPD is the professional body for those involved in the management and development of people. It develops and promotes interesting practice in people management.
Diversity Works for London
A Mayoral programme that encourages and supports businesses to realise the benefits of London’s diversity. By providing a comprehensive suite of tailored business support products the programme enables companies to improve their diversity proficiency.
Employers for Carers
Employers for Carers is a membership forum for employers who want to support employees in their workforce who are carers. The organisation identifies and promotes the business benefits of supporting carers. It offers information on employment policies and practices that supports carers, and provides examples of interesting practice in the workplace for employers.
Employers Forum on Age
Employers Forum on Age (EFA) is an employers' organisation supported by UK business, multinational corporations, SMEs and the public sector. Its focus is on promoting the employment of more mature employees. This is especially important as the UK population demographics are changing, and there are greater numbers of mature people than ever before.
EFA aims to reduce age discrimination in the workplace. It offers organisations advice and best practice guidelines. Its objective is to provide employers with the support and the tools they need to recruit and retain older employees. Members of EFA include PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and GlaxoSmithKline.
For information on specific age related organisations:
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Age UK (a not-for-profit organisation promoting the well-being of all older people in various areas like employment)
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Fairbridge (a not-for-profit organisation offering support to young people, such as on routes into work and education)
Employers Forum on Belief
The Employers Forum on Belief is an employers' organisation supported by UK business, multinational corporations, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the public sector. It was developed by employers to share good practice on religion, belief and non-belief. Its aim is to provide employers with guidance on legislation and help them to create a fairer workplace for all employees. Organisational members include KPMG, HSBC, Barclays and BT.
Employers Forum on Disability
Employers Forum on Disability (EFD) is an employers' organisation supported by UK business, multinational corporations, SMEs and the public sector. Its focus is on employees with disabilities; it offers advice and best practice guidelines. Its objective is to provide employers with the support and the tools needed to recruit and retain disabled employees. Members of EFD include PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and GlaxoSmithKline.
For information on specific disabilities see:
Equalities and Human Rights Commission
The Equality and Human Rights Commission, formed from the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, and the Disability Rights Commission, works to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality and protect human rights. The Equality and Human Rights Commission acts for all people, and has enforcement powers to guarantee equality. It has a mandate to promote understanding of the Human Rights Act. The EHRC offers employers and employees support, advice and information about employment-related issues and barriers.
Fawcett Society
The Fawcett Society is a campaigning organisation working to promote equality between male and female employees in the workplace and other areas. Workplace related issues include pay, pensions, benefits, working hours and conditions. It raises employer/employee awareness, stimulates debate and campaigns for change. it can assist employers by offering advice, support and information.
Government Equalities Office
The Government Equalities Office (GEO) is a new Department, with a remit to put equality at the heart of Government. The GEO is responsible for the Government’s overall strategy on equality (including a new Equality Bill and Public Service Agreement) and leads on women's issues across Government. The GEO reports to the Ministers for Women and Equality.
Internocracy
Internocracy is a new organisation which aims to widen access to internships to include those who are currently excluded due to not having the financial or social resources to spend up to three months working in a large city on little or no pay. It has just initiated a pilot support programme providing a group of interns with accommodation in university halls whilst they undertake their internship. It is hoping to extend this to include employability skills, training and social support.
Internocracy is also working to raise the quality of internship programmes across the public, private and third sectors by both benchmarking and spreading best practice in internships. Its aim is that every intern has an engaging and inspiring internship which adds tangible soft skills to their high level of cognitive skills.
Nacro
Nacro is a UK-based crime charity providing support and advice to ex-offenders. The charity is also able to provide support, guidance and information to employers who employ ex-offenders.
National Black Boys Can Association
The National Black Boys Can Association is a community led organisation providing black boys with educational opportunities, life skills, and the self-esteem, confidence and determination to succeed. It also provides black and minority ethnic (BME) people and employers with awareness of the barriers which many BME applicants face. It also provides knowledge, support and strategies for overcoming those barriers.
Opportunity Now
Opportunity Now is a membership organisation for employers who are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for women. It offers advice and guidance on gender issues in employment.
Press for Change
Press for Change is primarily a campaigning organisation directed to promote the rights of transgendered people. It provides employers with support, and information on issues around transgender issues in legal, medical, political and social matters.
Race for Opportunity
Race for Opportunity is a national business network of over 180 UK private and public sector organisations across the UK promoting the business case for race and diversity. Its objective is to help organisations to underpin their business and diversity strategies with sound actions that will have a positive impact on their business. It provides support, information, legal information, case studies and a wealth of other advice to employers.
Remploy
Remploy is an employment service working to increase the employment opportunities of people with disabilities who may be experiencing complex barriers to work. It works with employers and employees to help them identify, develop and make the most of their opportunities. It also provides specific services such as job coaching and training. It helps employers to identify the barriers to employment and by developing partnerships they support both employers and employees in the workplace. Organisational members include PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Asda, BT and the Royal Mail.
Stonewall
Stonewall is a lobbying group for lesbian, bisexual and gay people's rights, including employees rights. It works with a whole range of organisations to address lesbian, gay and bisexual employee needs in the workplace. Its Diversity Champions program offers advice and support to over 400 organisations including Ernst & Young, GlaxoSmithKline, Pinsent Masons and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Stonewall has also raised public awareness in terms of changes to the employment regulations relating to sexual orientation through guides for both employers and employees. Stonewall is a member of the Equality and Diversity Forum, a network of national organisations committed to progress on age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation issues. Members include Ernst and Young, Pinsent Masons and GlaxoSmithKline.
The Business of Faith
The Business of Faith is a project to assist businesses and employees in London engage with issues of religion and belief in the workplace.
Working Families
Working Families works with parents, carers and employers to help find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. It offers advice and solutions. Members include Ernst & Young.
