News & Support 1

1. News and Support
No 1 — June 2010
“Working with Difference” - Making a Difference
A NEW CIRCULATION “Working with Difference” The Equality Edge
signature project of “WwD” was designed to ensure
This e-newssheet will be circulated periodically offering legislative compliance, whilst also creating an
relevant information and news about equality and opportunity for positive organisational, community and
diversity best practice. It will introduce Equality Edge commercial benefit. It recognises that the people within
service updates and information about new products a company or organisation are the most valuable asset;
and make available special offers. looking after employees, customers and colleagues is
In order to be fully relevant to employers and an essential requirement of equality best practice.
managers, each issue will offer some top tips to help WwD, delivered through interactive workshops or as
deal with inequality and discrimination issues at work.
coaching, is an effective management tool and has had
some profound and sometimes startling outcomes.
EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL CAN BE COSTLY Repairing dysfunctional managerial relationships,
Recent figures have shown that in 2008/09 over 150,000 conflict management and resolution are recent additions
individuals brought cases to the ET for unfair dismissal and
claims citing discrimination. This table reveals the maximum
to the WwD stable of employment support services.
awards to individuals against each type of claim. The total
cost to employers in Workplace Bullying—A Modern Phenomenon
the UK was over Number of Claimants 151,028
Michael Lassman delivered a Poster Presentation to the
£50m. Claim for: Highest Award
International Association on Workplace Bullying and
Clearly, in today’s Unfair dismissal £84,005
Harassment (IAWBH) biennial conference in Cardiff. This
economic climate, Race Discrimination £1,353,432 prestigious three day event offered intense learning and an
this is something Sex Discrimination £113,106 excellent opportunity to meet people from thirty countries
that cannot be af-
Disability Discrimination £388,612 involved in academic research and delivering interventions
forded and there-
fore demands of Religious Discrimination £24,876 into bullying at work .
employers greater Age Discrimination £90,031 The exposure of “Working with Difference” as an
care when address- intervention tool in bullying situation was introduced
Sexual Orientation Disc. £63,222
ing staffing issues through the poster and was incredibly well received. Some
and concerns. Additional Award of Costs £25,000
UK based organisations have expressed an interest in
bringing the model to their place of work.
Equality Edge Open Workshops—In 2009 Equality Edge
ran a series of open workshops introducing “Working with
Difference” to equality practitioners and human resource Top Equality Tips for Managers
officers, mainly from statutory organisations. These were 1. Listen to your staff team; people do not generally make
successful at raising awareness of the alternative and creative allegations of discrimination lightly. If they tell you they
approach to equality and diversity learning. They also were an have been discriminated against, you are duty bound to
excellent marketing opportunity for Equality Edge; following investigate their claim. Make it a priority, be thorough and
participation, several people commissioned a WwD workshop keep accurate written records.
to be brought into their organisation. 2. Be aware of bullying risk-times. When a new member of staff
During Autumn 2010 a new programme of open workshops joins the team, think of it as an entire new group. A team
will be delivered. If you are interested in attending one of building session goes a long way to mitigate against potential
these, please contact the office to discuss where your nearest bullying.
workshop will be. The initial programmes will introduce the 3. Examine your management style. Could anyone accuse you of
WwD model dealing with bullying in the workplace. having a abrasive or aggressive leadership style. Could
Discounts are available by quoting reference EN-0022. someone you manage be vulnerable and make a bullying or
harassment claim against you.
Equality Edge offers service to help organisations fulfil their legal requirement. In dispute management, impartiality is
maintained enabling mutually acceptable resolutions to be found. Programmes help minimise the negative impact of bully-
ing at work, reducing long term sick leave and improving staff morale and productivity. This will cut potentially exorbitant
legal fees, ET compensation or compromise agreement pay-offs. No more will you be a hostage to the lose/lose scenario
— we can find the win-win solution. Contact for a no-obligation and confidential discussion.
©Equality Edge
6 Argyle Road London N12 7NU 020 8445 8447
www.equalityedge.org.uk