What is Equality and Diversity?
Equality is about creating a fairer society where everyone can participate and has the same opportunity to fulfil their potential. Equality is backed by legislation designed to address unfair discrimination based on membership of a particular group.
Diversity is about recognising that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways. It is about creating a culture and practices that recognise, respect and value difference. It is about harnessing this potential to create a productive environment in which the equally diverse needs of the customer/client can be met in a creative environment. It is about generating a workforce who feels valued/ respected and has their potential fully utilised in order to meet organisational goals. Diversity is not an ‘initiative’ or a ‘project’, it is an ongoing core aim and a core process.
Equality and Diversity: How the IPA can help
The IPA offers access to a modular training programme aimed at equipping line managers with the knowledge and skills to implement best practice in equality and diversity issues. The programme includes:
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Introduction to diversity
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Recruitment and selection
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Managing diverse teams
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Dealing with conflict at work
For more information contact Derek Luckhurst, Training and Development Director at derek.luckhurst@ipa-involve.com
Managing the Aging Workforce
The Age Discrimination Regulations place responsibilities on employers that will require changes to employment policies and practices. However, the IPA recognises the need for organisations to go beyond legal compliance to recruit, retain and motivate their best employees – whatever their age or stage in their working life.
Age Diversity Audit
An age positive audit will help you benchmark your current policies and practices against best practice and provide you with a clear, targeted action plan. Our comprehensive review process will typically involve.
- Age profiling and analysis of your workforce
- A comprehensive review of employment policies and processes
- Facilitated discussions with key stakeholders and employees
- Critique and review of your marketing and commercial strategies
Recruitment and Selection
We can help you develop a competency-based approach to recruitment and internal promotion processes which includes:
- Design of age positive application forms
- Structured interview processes
- Establishment of assessment and development centres
- Training for assessors
Age Awareness Training
To develop an age positive culture, managers and employees need to be aware of the relevance and implications of the Age Discrimination Regulations.
Our Age Awareness Workshops go beyond the legislation and provide a stimulating insight into the changing perceptions of age and the business case for age diversity.
Workshops are informative and highly participative, with opportunities to discuss ideas and challenge thinking. The content can tailored to specific business needs and relevant research and case studies employed.