As we start the month of February, let us hope the coming months will continue to bring a faster global recovery and stability.
ACCA and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) recently held a discussion on the diversity and equality in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). One of the key findings from the meeting was that SMEs will need to be increasingly mindful of equality and diversity issues.
The Equality Bill is currently undergoing Committee stage consideration in the House of Lords, and SMEs have been exempt from some of the provisions, such as reporting on the pay gap between male and female employees.
However, the implications of the Bill could still be profound. SMEs are often ill-informed about the benefits of a diverse workforce and ill-equipped to seize the opportunities it offers. SMEs employ 59% of the private sector workforce – if they cannot do their part for equality and diversity voluntarily, the entire agenda could be in trouble.
Panellists at the event (including ACCA's CEO and MPs) found that small businesses are among the government's strongest allies in its efforts to improve equality and diversity. Working for a small business is itself a way for many to sidestep discrimination or negative attitudes, and a way out of disadvantage.
Small businesses are able to achieve these positive outcomes for employees without the benefit and burden of written policies. Also noted was an explicit and systematic commitment to equality and diversity is necessary for small businesses themselves to reap the full benefits of a diverse workforce.
As ever, your views on this are welcome.
ACCA and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) recently held a discussion on the diversity and equality in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). One of the key findings from the meeting was that SMEs will need to be increasingly mindful of equality and diversity issues.
The Equality Bill is currently undergoing Committee stage consideration in the House of Lords, and SMEs have been exempt from some of the provisions, such as reporting on the pay gap between male and female employees.
However, the implications of the Bill could still be profound. SMEs are often ill-informed about the benefits of a diverse workforce and ill-equipped to seize the opportunities it offers. SMEs employ 59% of the private sector workforce – if they cannot do their part for equality and diversity voluntarily, the entire agenda could be in trouble.
Panellists at the event (including ACCA's CEO and MPs) found that small businesses are among the government's strongest allies in its efforts to improve equality and diversity. Working for a small business is itself a way for many to sidestep discrimination or negative attitudes, and a way out of disadvantage.
Small businesses are able to achieve these positive outcomes for employees without the benefit and burden of written policies. Also noted was an explicit and systematic commitment to equality and diversity is necessary for small businesses themselves to reap the full benefits of a diverse workforce.
As ever, your views on this are welcome.
Equality diversity is indeed a challenge but one that is necessary. Times have changed and hopefully we're much closer to true equality.
Posted by: Equality diversity | 10 February 2010 at 00:50