Organisations still not capitalising on workplace diversity

The figures show that last year claims of sexual discrimination rose by 2,524 to 14,250 and racial discrimination cases increased by 786 to 4,103. They also reveal that only 86,083 of the 115,039 claims made were disposed of, leaving 28,956 claims unresolved. The guidelines, called ‘Embracing Diversity’, call on all UK organisations to have formal diversity policies in place. They also highlight the positive impact of a diverse workforce on performance and productivity, as companies have access to a wider talent pool and more varied skills base. “Clearly, discrimination on the basis of difference is unacceptable at any level,” says Jo Causon, director of marketing and corporate affairs, Chartered Management Institute. “But in many cases, resistance to change is due to a lack of understanding of the benefits it can bring. “Organisations should ensure that diversity policies are clear and well communicated to their staff, or risk losing out on the performance gains it can generate,” she adds.