Topic 3 Flashcards
an employer is said to be discriminated against if:
they are treated less favourably than another is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation on any of the 9 grounds
who is liable for acts of employees?
employer
what must an employer take?
reasonably practicable steps” to ensure a discrimination free workplace
what are the different types of discrimination?
-direct discrimination
-indirect discrimination
-positive discrimination
-harassment
-victimisation
what is direct discrimination?
-One person is treated less favourably than another in respect of the nine grounds
-Direct comparison between one person and another
what is indirect discrimination?
-apparently neutral provision puts a person at a disadvantage
-practices or policies which do not appear to discriminate can have the effect of discrimination
what is positive discrimination?
-positive action or measures to promote equal opportunities for men and women by removing existing inequalities which affect women’s opportunities
what is harassment?
-unwanted conduct related to any discriminatory grounds
-purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the person
what is victimisation?
-following on from a complaint in the workplace
-protects employees from retaliatory conduct which would lead to a hostile working environment
what are the provisions for disability?
employers are obliged to make reasonable accommodations for staff with disabilities including access to promotion and training
what are the provisions for pregnancy?
26 weeks of maternity leave, with an option for an additional 16 weeks unpaid leave, and have protections against dismissal or discrimination
what are the provisions for equal pay?
equal pay for ‘like work’
what is ‘like work’?
work that is the same, similar or work of equal value
what are the provisions for victimisation?
employer may not penalise employee by dismissal, unfair treatment or an unfavourable change in your conditions of employment
what does diversity involve?
more than one characteristic being present among a group of people
what are the drivers of diversity in the workplace?
-shifting population demographics
-increased importance of the service sector
-globalisation
-need for greater organisational productivity
why have significant workforce changes occurred globally?
-immigration
-worker migration
-demand for equal rights based on gender, religion, race, sexual orientation and disability
what has globalisation resulted in?
multinational organisations engaging with customers worldwide and employ several thousand workers outside their home countries, thus requiring competent management of culturally diverse individuals
what does managing diversity require?
the ability to harness the attributes of a diverse workforce to foster a productive environment which celebrates and nurtures differences
what is workplace diversity about?
recognising differences, acknowledging the benefit of having a range of perspectives in decision making, and the workforce being representative of the organisation’s customers
what are diversity management programmes?
programmes targeting organisational productivity and profitability through a culture that fosters diverse cultural backgrounds and values
what do diversity management programmes aim to do?
improve organisational performance by changing the culture of the organisation to become more inclusive so as to enable all employees to achieve their potential
what does managing diversity require?
organisational buy-in to recruit, retain, develop and appropriately compensate workers from diverse backgrounds and requires a cultural shift so that differences are celebrated
what are the benefits of managing a diverse workforce?
-improved organisational performance
-greater innovation and creativity
-improved corporate image
-the ability to recruit and retain key talent
-better group performance
what is prejudice?
feelings, beliefs and inclination to act, and tends to be resistant to reason and experience
what are examples of prejudice?
-ageism
-sexism
-racism
what are sources of prejudice?
-social inequalities
-family
-socialisation
what is ‘the glass ceiling’?
an invisible barrier that inhibits women’s and minorities’ advancement through the managerial hierarchy, which is more pronounced further along one’s career
what is ascribed status?
the status assigned by cultural norms, dependant on group membership
what are the reason for communication issues arising?
- a lack of language fluency
- communication misunderstandings
-different cultural norms
-group of employees who speak the same mother tongue excluding others
what are the strategies which can be adopted to overcome obstacles faced by organisations who are trying to be more inclusive and diverse?
-comprehensive compliance with employment equality legislation is a bare minimum
-achieving buy-in from senior management in addition to all employees
-making diversity a key strategic, measurable goal
what is positive discrimination?
preferential discriminatory treatment of members of a minority group over a majority
