The Commission recently adopted a five-year strategy for promoting equality between women and men in Europe. The strategy aims in particular to make better use of women’s potential, thereby contributing to the EU’s overall economic and social goals. It translates the principles set out in the European Commission’s Women’s Charter into specific measures, ranging from […]
In the past, flexible schedules most often were granted to new mothers. Today, however, progressive companies have broadened the scope of what constitutes grounds for flexibility. And companies that allow employees flexibility in balancing their personal and professional lives are often rewarded by more loyal and motivated workers. A study conducted by the Families and […]
BT will soon be writing to all its recruitment suppliers insisting that they send in more disabled job candidates. The communications giant has been a leading champion in the development of the Disability Clearkit, an online service created by employers to share best practice and guidance on the employment of disabled people. Over 200 employers […]
Last month, three Italian researchers were awarded the Ig Nobel prize for demonstrating mathematically that organisations would become more efficient if they promoted people at random. The Ig Nobel Prizes honour achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think. The prizes are intended to
The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2010 was released last month with overall encouraging news on equality between men and women in 134 countries, representing over 93% of the world’s population. The countries were assessed on how well they divide resources and opportunities amongst male and female populations, regardless of the overall levels […]
HALDE is now offering an Anti-discrimination eLearning tool (in French) for Employers and the general public. The Employer eLearning tool focuses on those highly involved in the success of Diversity work in a company, such as HR employees or directors who are in key positions on antidiscrimination work.
In a historic move, the United Nations General Assembly voted unanimously to create a new entity to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide. The establishment of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women — to be known as UN Women — is a result of years […]
The European Commission has released a report setting out in a consolidated way the rights of Europeans to live and work in another EU country. The report also provides an update on legal developments in the past decade. Currently, 2.3% of people in the EU reside in a Member State other than their own. However,
In a new study commissioned by the European Commission, the use of language skills by SMEs and the impact on business performance was analysed with surprising results. The survey of SMEs, ‘ELAN: Effects on the European Economy of Shortages of Foreign Language Skills in Enterprise’, found that a significant amount of business is being lost […]
The UK government announced on 29 July 2010 that it plans to scrap the default retirement age of 65 from October 2011. This means that in the future, employers cannot dismiss staff because they have reached the age of 65. The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) has described the new proposal as a “victory” against […]
