A series of measures to tackle ethnic disparities in the workplace have been announced this month, one year after the government published the findings of a race disparity audit on how people of different ethnic backgrounds are treated across society.
What is the Race at Work Charter?
Developed jointly by the government and Business in the Community (BITC), the new Race at Work Charter, announced by the Prime Minister, is intended to commit businesses to a set of principles and actions designed to promote change within the recruitment and progression of ethnic minority employees.
Alongside the Race at Work Charter, a consultation on ethnicity pay has been launched. This is in response to the Race Disparity Audit’s ethnicity facts and figures website data, which reveals significant disparities in the pay and progression of ethnic minority employees compared to their white counterparts.
As was the case with gender pay gap reporting prior to the mandatory approach in April 2017, the number of organisations publishing information on the pay gap for people from different ethnic backgrounds voluntarily remains low. In the first year of mandatory gender pay gap reporting over 10,000 employers reported their gender pay gap.
The consultation, open until January 2019, will set out in detail what information employers should publish. It is intended that this will allow for decisive action to be taken, whilst also asking employers how ethnicity data can be collected without placing undue burdens on businesses.
Is There Inequality in the Workplace?
According to the Scorecard Report 2018, ethnic-minority employees are far more likely than their white colleagues to feel that their talents will not be recognised: 52% believe they will have to leave their current organisation to progress their career, compared with 38% for white workers.
Earlier this year an audit launched by London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, found that the city’s black and minority ethnic public employees were paid anything up to 37% less on average than their white counterparts.
As with gender it’s time to tackle the race pay gap and it is hoped that these developments will prompt a drive towards meaningful action.
Has Your Career Been Affected by Discrimination?
If you believe your career has been affected by racial discrimination, you may have a case for compensation. Get in touch with our friendly employee law solicitors to find out if you have a case.
