|
EFA RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT´S CONSULTATION ON DIVERSITY LEGISLATION 22 January 2003 Freda Line, Employer Relationship & Strategy Manager of the Employers Forum on Age (EFA), said: ´The Employers Forum on Age welcomes the Government´s consultation document on diversity legislation, Equality & Diversity: The Way Ahead , which covers some of the cross-cutting issues arising from the forthcoming diversity legislation. ´This consultation offers the opportunity to highlight crucial issues affecting both younger and older workers which need to be urgently addressed. There is currently a very low level of recognition that harassment forms a major aspect of age discrimination – and Government should be aware that as an employer itself, it will be particularly vulnerable to claims. ´Employers are also concerned about the limited discussion in the consultation on the scope of positive action. Age discrimination legislation will cover all individuals, young and old, and so far the emphasis of recent Government campaigns has been on ´older workers´. The EFA is keen to emphasise that focusing on one particular age group might actually encourage discrimination against other age groups. ´Although the EFA recognises that specific questions relating to the 2006 age legislation will be further considered in a future consultation, employers are very concerned that there is, as yet, little indication of the structure and timetable regarding the Government´s guidance and support on age legislation. The age consultation timetable was initially scheduled for ´early 2003´ and is now talked about as taking place ´before the summer of 2003´. Any further slippage would be unacceptable and would leave employers insufficient time to prepare for this complex legislation.´ back to the archive |
