Diversity resources
You're an open-minded, creative person. But it's easy for all of us to slip into language and behaviour that are OK for us but inappropriate and offensive for others. When hiring new staff, it can be tempting to take the soft option and hire someone you know or have worked with before. This isn't always the right thing to do, and diversity experts warn us that it could be illegal.
Here are some resources that can help you to:
- recruit fairly and objectively, and within the law
- recognise and tackle prejudice and discrimination
- reap the benefits of diversity in the workplace
In the audio-visual industry
- Success through diversity and inclusion (UK Film Council) Find out how the film industry is tackling diversity
- Diversity Toolkit (UK Film Council) Sets out equality issues and gives practical advice and resources for achieving diversity in the film industry
Recruitment
- Recruiting a diverse workforce (Business Link): See the steps you need to take to improve diversity
- Recruiting staff: guidance for managers and supervisors (Equal Opportunities Commission, EOC): A checklist to help you find - and keep - the best recruits
- Tackling discrimination and promoting equality (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, ACAS): A good practice guide for employers that includes advice on recruitment and selection
All diversity issues
- Equality and diversity(ACAS): Equality and diversity in depth
- Directors' Briefing: Discrimination(Institute of Directors, IOD): Quick four-page guide to all the issues you need to think about
- Equal opportunities is your business too: A joint effort by several agencies to identify good practice for small firms on equality and diversity. There are versions for Scotland and Wales
Specific issues
Step-by step advice, case studies and examples to show how you can promote equality and tackle discrimination.
- Age Age and the workplace(ACAS)
- Disability Top ten tips for small employers(Disability Rights Commission, DRC)
- Gender How to put equality into practice(EOC)
- Race Racial equality and the smaller business (Campaign for Racial Equality, CRE)
- Religion and belief Religion or belief in the workplace (ACAS)
- Sexual orientation Sexual orientation in the workplace (ACAS)
Telephone helplines for employers
- Disability Rights Commission 08457 622 633
- Equality Direct at ACAS 0845 600 3444
- Equal Opportunities Commission 0845 601 5901