Identify positive employers
The majority of employers in the UK promote equal opportunities and diversity during their recruitment and selection processes. They recognise and value the idea that employees from different backgrounds will bring a diverse set of knowledge, skills and experience to their organisation.
We provide advice across a range of equality and diversity issues, offering tips on how to identify positive employers and your rights during the recruitment process. Our advice also covers issues around disclosure and marketing yourself to employers.
How the law protects you
The Equality Act covers all legislation relating to discrimination on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation and religion and belief, with one all-encompassing act. View the full text of the Equality Act 2010. The Act makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate because of these characteristics. If you think you may have suffered discrimination in the workplace or your job applications then contact the Careers and Employability Service.
Employer diversity monitoring forms
Many employers will include a diversity monitoring questionnaire as part of the application process. Employers use this information to monitor the diversity of applicants applying for their roles and to guide any actions to improve their performance. The information you supply is confidential and will not be shared with anyone involved in the selection process or your future line manager, but you should always have the opportunity to indicate ‘prefer not to say’.
Up to date legal information
The websites below offer regular updates on issues relating to equality and diversity in the workplace:
- GOV.UK
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s ‘Employment: statutory code of conduct’, which expands on points from the Equality Act
- The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) - offers free and impartial advice to employers and employees on employment legislation and workplace issues.