Celebrating our equality leaders
Apr 15 2009 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette
THE 2009 North-east Equality Awards were launched at a conference held in Durham last week.
The awards recognise and celebrate the good equality practice being carried out by employers across the region.
With the Equality Bill currently winding its way through Parliament and the Equality Act due to enter the statute books around late 2010 or early 2011, it is increasingly important for companies to look at their own equality practices.
Many employers just aren’t willing to wait until they have to implement good policies and procedures. They want to stay one step ahead of the game by constantly looking for new and innovative ways to ensure they remove barriers facing employees.
They are doing this because they know it makes good business sense and the North-east Equality Awards aim to highlight this good practice by recognising and rewarding the best in the region.
Liz Reay, Chief Executive of Equality North East, said: “This is the sixth year of the Awards and each year they have become bigger and better.
“More employers are recognising that good equality practices are actually good for business and this good practice needs to be celebrated and showcased.”
The launch featured previous winners speaking about the positive impact winning had had on their businesses.
Julie Ritson, from BL Hairdressing Training, said: “It was a fantastic morale boost for all staff and the senior management team. It showed we were doing something right.
“Most of all, it was important for us to have a recognition of our positive equality and diversity practices. It keeps equality and diversity at the heart of everything we do.”
The categories for this year are:
Employers of 51-250 staff
Employers of up to 50 staff
Learning Providers of up to 50 staff
Colleges and Learning Providers of over 50 staff
Outstanding contribution by a larger organisation
The TUC-unionlearn award
Individuals who have made a difference
Smarter working practices
Work-life balance achievement.
Scheduled to take place at the Gateshead Hilton on October 23, applicants can apply on line at www.equality-ne.co.uk/awards Closing date for entries is Monday June 19, 2009.
