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Businesses to get guidance on equalities

Published on 23 Mar 2010 under category: legal

UK businesses will now be able to self-assess how successful they are in meeting equality legislation.

The government announced today (March 23rd) that firms will be given assessment tools to support them in improving equality standards at work.

A new framework, which will become available online, will help businesses attract a diverse customer base, while a new 'test' can calculate how well they are meeting minimum standards.

Vera Baird, the equalities minister and solicitor-general, said: "Many small businesses are already tackling inequality in the workplace without even realising it - for example by offering flexible hours to people with childcare commitments.

"The framework will give credit where it is due and help businesses identify other ways in which they can help themselves and release the benefits which are available to them."

Using the guidelines, companies will be able to continuously improve their standards, removing the disincentive of receiving a static lowly accreditation.

Furthermore, businesses will be able to access the framework without any external verification, so that firms are not deterred from using the service.

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