Equality

Equality is central to the Government’s commitment to build a stronger economy and fairer society. Its report of December 2010, The Equality Strategy - Building a Fairer Britain, sets out a key aim to work with business to develop “a fairer and more flexible labour market that draws on the talents of all and builds a strong economy.”

The Government’s report on the equality strategy also states: “From April 2011, allow employers, on a permissive basis, to apply voluntary positive action in recruitment and promotion processes when faced with two or more candidates of equal merit, to address under-representation in the workforce. This does not mean ‘quotas’ or giving someone a job just because they are a woman, disabled or from an ethnic minority – positive discrimination is not acceptable and is unlawful."

The Government is also considering Lord Davies’s recent report on promoting gender equality on the boards of UK listed companies. The report recommends that: 

• Companies in the FTSE 100 should be aiming for a minimum of 25% female board member representation by 2015 
• FTSE 350 companies should be setting their own, challenging targets – it is expected that many will achieve a much higher figure than this minimum.

Women Like Us recommendations:

• Equality strategy needs to recognise that a key barrier to gender equality is the lack of quality part time job opportunities. The inability to find an appropriate part time job delays the return to work for hundreds of thousands of mothers. It also prohibits movement from one employer to another and damages promotion prospects. 
• Action is needed to address the problem that mothers are forced to trade salary for flexibility, taking part time jobs below their skill level because of the shortage of quality part time roles. 
• Encouragement of corporate schemes to make it easier for women with children to return to the workforce.