UK Employment Update

News

"Spot checks" in the workplace?

According to reports in the Telegraph earlier this month, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is seeking the introduction of random workplace "spot checks" by its inspectors to ensure employers obey discrimination laws. EHRC's controversial proposals, which have been discussed with ministers, include imposing an obligation upon larger employing companies and public sector bodies to produce annual "equality audits" of the number of staff they employ from disadvantaged groups. The results would be published by EHRC in a league table that would effectively "name and shame" those at the bottom of the list. According to the Telegraph, such proposals could be included in the Single Equality Bill to be unveiled by the government later this year, which aims to harmonise existing antidiscrimination and equality legislation. The proposals are unlikely to