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Support for firms on diversity

ICAEW is committed to supporting organisations in embracing the diversity agenda and meeting the needs of their employees. Here ICAEW has collated a series of resources and information, including support in understanding the requirements of the UK Equality Act 2010.

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Need to know

Diversity law and regulations An overview of the law concerning diversity and discrimination in the UK, with the latest case summaries and useful guidance.
Diversity and inclusion On this page you find articles, books and online resources providing background information and guidance on making a workplace more diverse and inclusive to the people who work in it.
Diversity and the accounting profession
  • Report
  • 2018
Improving diversity is not just a legal imperative. The concept of diversity is an inherent good with ubiquitous appeal and ethical, social and commercial value for accounting firms. But while good practices are developing, the profession still has some way to go in the transition to becoming more diverse.
Equality Act 2010
  • Website
  • 2010
Read the full text of the UK's Equality Act 2010.

Promoting diversity in the workplace

Diversity analysis of ICAEW probate firms highlights progress
  • Article
  • 14 Sep 2023
New report presents a useful snapshot of the diversity of accountancy firms amid growing recognition of the need to create a workforce that can meet the changing requirements of an increasingly diverse society.
ICAEW student council Jas Rayat vice chair, Bejay Mistry, president MCASS
Student societies: everyone’s welcome
  • Article
  • 04 Sep 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
When it comes to diversity and inclusion, the ICAEW Student Council (ISC) and student societies lead by example, giving students a voice and helping to drive change.
ICAEW continues commitment to initiative to open up diverse talent pool
  • Article
  • 24 Aug 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Three young people tell ICAEW how the 10,000 Black Interns initiative helped them to overcome fears, network and gain the confidence to set their sights on a career in accountancy.
Stop trying to fix women – start fixing the system
  • Article
  • 17 Aug 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Rather than seeing typically female traits as barriers to career progression, redesign the system, says diversity, equity and inclusion leader Joe Consedine – majority over-represented groups must make the shift, not the women themselves.
Investor concern over directors over-boarding
  • Article
  • 16 Aug 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
Holding board seats at three or more firms could pose a significant challenge to directors’ abilities to fulfil their governance duties, investors warn.
Sexism in the City: what progress has been made?
  • Article
  • 31 Jul 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
New inquiry will review whether the financial services industry has met previous recommendations from the Treasury Committee to create a more gender-balanced industry.
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Age

Age discrimination Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated on the basis of their age. On this page you can find articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance. Also includes information on retirement age.
Blogs
  • Listing
  • 17 May 2019
Following on from our survey of 10,000 citizens in 10 European countries, we are publishing a series of blogs to foster further ideas and suggestions on how to encourage more intergenerationally fair policy.
Why older people will need to work longer
  • Article
  • 08 May 2017
David Adams on why more older people will need to work for longer and what this means for them, their employers and society
Case law: Employer who avoided giving true reasons for rejecting job applicant in order to be polite was guilty of age discrimination
  • Article
  • 02 Apr 2020
Employers interviewing job applicants should keep comprehensive records explaining why they (accept or) reject them, and should not skirt around those reasons when communicating with applicants in an attempt to be polite, a recent legal ruling makes clear.
Case law: Tribunal says manager’s choice of words was age discrimination
  • Article
  • 01 Nov 2017
Employers should ensure managers and other senior staff are properly trained and equipped to avoid potentially discriminatory acts, words and motives - or risk a discrimination claim being brought against them, a recent case makes clear.
Case law: Employers discriminate if they don't offer an older employee voluntary redundancy because it will cost more
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2016
Employers should consider whether their decision not to offer an older employee voluntary redundancy is because they will be entitled to more compensation than a younger employee. If it is, they risk an age discrimination claim.
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Disability

Disability and the accounting profession Our disability helpsheet has been prepared by accountants with severe disabilities and draws on their experiences of adaptive processes and procedures in the workplace.
Disability discrimination Discrimination legislation protects the rights of disabled people in employment, education, and access to goods and services. On this page you can find articles, books and online resources offering guidance in this area of law.
New guidance: Acas issues guidance on reasonable adjustments for mental health
  • Article
  • 01 Jun 2023
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers will welcome new Acas guidance to help them and their employees when considering reasonable adjustments for mental health at work.
New resource: Online help with employees’ disability/long-term health conditions
  • Article
  • 01 Dec 2022
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers and managers will welcome a new online questionnaire that gives them free, tailored advice to help support and manage staff with a disability or a long-term health condition, whether they are off work or still working.
Employment law pitfalls and how to avoid them
  • Article
  • 16 Nov 2021
  • ICAEW Insights
Employment law specialists from Edwin Coe outline common mistakes and complex issues that employers may grapple with and how these can be avoided with a better understanding of the legal issues.
Tackling the effects of long COVID in the workplace
  • Article
  • 10 Feb 2021
11 February 2021: Employers are increasingly having to assess employees diagnosed with ‘long COVID’ to determine if they are classed as disabled for employment law purposes and make reasonable adjustments to assist those suffering from the condition.
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Gender

Women in Leadership (WiL) WIL supports women working across practice, industry and public sectors who are in senior management, partner or board roles. The programme has a strong personal development focus, and seeks to refine and craft your individual leadership style.
Board diversity Considerations and guidance for corporate governance professionals on boardroom diversity.
Mind the gender pensions gap
  • Article
  • 21 Jun 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
The gender pensions gap today stands at 35%, yet women contribute a higher proportion of their pay into their pension than men. We analyse some of the potential solutions to achieving pensions equity.
How well is accountancy performing on gender equality?
  • Article
  • 09 Jun 2022
  • ICAEW Insights
As leading lights of the sector are named among the UK’s Top 50 Employers for Women, we look at what the profession is doing right on gender equality – and why there’s still more to do.
Using mentoring to combat bias
  • Article
  • 07 Mar 2022
  • ICAEW Insights
Workplace mentoring schemes are well established as a tool to support career development. And with International Women’s Day on 8 March, we focus on their role in overcoming gender bias.
Times up! A movement for change
  • Podcast
  • 16 Feb 2018
This podcast from the RSA discusses where this powerful movement will go next. The panel, includes: Laura Bates, bestselling author and founder of the Everyday Sexism project; Helen Pankhurst, author and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst; Ayesha Hazarika, Political Commentator and Comedian and Sophie Walker, Founding Leader of the Women’s Equality Party.
City of London
Women and finance: the issues
  • Article
  • 06 Jan 2017
  • Faye Watts
With finance remaining unattractive for female applicants, Faye Watts outlines a strategy for getting women running the numbers
Woman boardroom
Want more women in top positions? Provide more flexibility
  • Article
  • 24 Aug 2017
  • Heejung Chung
Heejung Chung discusses ways to help women maintain their working patterns after childbirth without sacrificing their careers
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Maternity, paternity and adoption

Maternity, paternity and adoption Find legislation and guidance on employee's rights and employer's responsibilities relating to maternity, paternity and adoption, including discrimination against those being pregnant or on maternity leave.
New law: Government parental leave and pay proposals published
  • Article
  • 01 Aug 2023
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers will welcome the government’s response to its recent consultation on parental leave and pay which explains the changes it intends to make.
Case law: Supreme Court agrees it is not discriminatory to pay fathers on shared parental leave less than mothers on maternity leave – at least if the shared parental leave is only for 14 weeks
  • Article
  • 01 Apr 2020
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers offering enhanced contractual maternity pay to mothers are not guilty of direct or indirect discrimination, and are not breaching equal pay rules, if they fail to give enhanced pay to fathers taking shared parental leave as well, the Supreme Court has confirmed.
Case law: Settlement agreement with pregnant employee must specify statutory maternity pay otherwise not covered
  • Article
  • 01 Jan 2020
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers settling claims by pregnant employees who want the settlement agreement to cover statutory maternity pay (SMP) must expressly mention it in the agreement, otherwise it will not be covered and the employee will be able to claim it separately.
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Sexual orientation

LGBTQ+ History Month: inclusion and diversity across the biggest firms
  • Article
  • 21 Feb 2023
  • ICAEW Insights
As we embrace LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) History Month, we take a look at how accountancy firms in the UK are fostering greater inclusion and visibility.
10 tips for workplace inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people
  • Article
  • 12 Feb 2021
Izzi Lerwill, transgender and non-binary chartered accountant at Grant Thornton UK, shares 10 practical tips for making the workplace more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ people.
Inga beale
Q&A: Lloyd’s of London CEO Dame Inga Beale
  • Article
  • 18 Jan 2018
  • Chris Evans
Dame Inga Beale on pushing the market into the modern age, tackling diversity and dealing with Trump and tornadoes
LBGT90
LGBT networks: Benefitting business
  • Article
  • 19 Feb 2015
  • Oliver Griffin
LGBT networks are building inclusion - for everyone - across accountancy firms
LGBTintheBigFour
LGBT networks in accountancy
  • Article
  • 28 Jan 2016
  • Jessica Fino
How firms are supporting their LGBT employees and clients
OUTstanding
  • Website
  • 01 Jan 2018
OUTstanding is a membership organisation for global businesses. It works with LGBT+ and ally leaders to drive cultural change, creating an environment where everyone can succeed. Working with 26% of the FTSE 100, it is a network that aims to drive positive change.
Stonewall
  • Website
  • 01 Jan 2018
  • Stonewall Equality
Founded in 1989, Stonewall aims to let all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, here and abroad, know they're not alone. The organisation works to support individuals in making a difference for LGBT people at work, home and in their communities.
Research by Stonewall
  • Report
  • 01 Jan 2018
Access the latest research from Stonewall's into LGBT people's experiences of discrimination and public attitudes towards LGBT equality.
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Race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin

Race discrimination Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of their race. On this page you can find articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance.
Spotlight on: Ololade Adesanya
  • Article
  • 03 Oct 2022
Ololade Adesanya is a Director at Deloitte with over 14 years’ experience working with firms in the financial services industry, providing advisory and assurance services around governance, risk and controls. She is also the current President of the ICAEW West of England.
Spotlight on: Robin Vela
  • Article
  • 03 Oct 2022
Robin holds various interests in the industrials, property, renewable energy and logistics sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa. He is the Founder and Chair of Lonsa Group Limited, Chair of Lonsa Everite, Deputy Chair of Swartland Investments and Chair of Firstmile Properties. Robin (a fellow of the Chartered Securities Institute in England & Wales) is a professionally qualified and experienced investment banker and in 2016 was appointed to the ICAEW Member’s Advisory Board for Africa. Robin is also a member of the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa, the past patron for the African Institu...
Hullait800
Member profile: Rashpal Singh Hullait
  • Article
  • 08 Sep 2017
  • Xenia Taliotis
Rashpal Singh Hullait tells Xenia Taliotis where he gets his tenacity from
Case law: Employers should beware treating employees less favourably if English is their second language
  • Article
  • 01 Aug 2019
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers should avoid treating employees for whom English is a second language less favourably on the basis they inevitably have a lesser command of English than those for whom it is their first language; otherwise they risk a race discrimination claim as a recent ruling makes clear.
Case law: Employer liable for race discrimination by one employee making 'go back to Poland' comment to foreign co-worker
  • Article
  • 01 Feb 2018
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers should ensure they have an appropriate diversity policy and disciplinary procedures in place, and all staff are aware of them and the consequences of failure to comply, otherwise they risk being vicariously liable for acts of race discrimination by employees.
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Religion or belief

Case law: Employers beware blanket bans on employees’ beards worn for religious reasons
  • Article
  • 01 Feb 2020
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers should beware blanket bans on beards (or other aspects of a person’s appearance arising from their religious beliefs) unless they can show the ban is proportionate – for example, there is no other way to comply with customers’ preferences in a non-discriminatory way - or they risk an indirect discrimination claim.
Case law: Belief that a person’s sex cannot change is not a ‘philosophical belief’, protected under discrimination law, but belief in ethical veganism can be
  • Article
  • 01 Feb 2020
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers will welcome clarification from the courts on what amounts to a protected ‘philosophical belief’. Treating an employee or job candidate less favourably because of their belief that a person’s sex cannot be changed is not discriminatory under employment law, but treating them unfavourably because they are ethical vegans can be.
Case law: Tribunal rules that vegetarianism is not a ‘belief’ protected under discrimination laws
  • Article
  • 01 Nov 2019
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers should treat all workers’ lawful beliefs with equal respect at work to avoid grievances or claims for constructive dismissal, but need not be concerned about discrimination claims based solely on a worker’s belief in vegetarianism.
Case law: Employers beware of treating employees less favourably on grounds of belief in Scottish independence or Brexit
  • Article
  • 01 Oct 2019
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers whose workforce include individuals with strong beliefs about Scottish independence, Brexit or similar issues should beware treating them less favourably than other workers because of those beliefs, or risk a discrimination claim on grounds of philosophical belief, following a recent ruling.
Case law: Employers can justify indirect discrimination even if issues raised by employee's complaint are unresolved
  • Article
  • 01 Apr 2019
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers trying to justify an apparently discriminatory provision, criteria or practice can do so by justifying it in general - balancing its impact against employees sharing a protected characteristic that affects when they can work - and not its impact on the particular employee complaining about it.
Case law: Employers more at risk of indirect discrimination claims following Supreme Court ruling
  • Article
  • 01 May 2017
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers should review their policies, criteria and procedures (PCPs) to ensure they do not indirectly discriminate against particular groups of employees on the basis of a protected characteristic, following a recent case. The ruling makes it easier for employees to bring indirect discrimination claims in those circumstances.
Case law: Employers may be able to ban religious symbols at work without being liable for discrimination on grounds of religion
  • Article
  • 01 Apr 2017
  • Atom Content Marketing
Employers who ban all visible religious signs in the workplace are not directly discriminating against employees on grounds of religion, but risk indirectly discriminating against them unless the circumstances justify the ban, according to the European Court.
Case law: Court confirms business refusing an order because of a customer's orientation is discriminatory, even though it was because of religious beliefs
  • Article
  • 01 Dec 2016
  • Atom Content Marketing
A northern Irish bakery describing itself as a 'Christian business' discriminated against a customer when it refused his order to decorate a cake with images and slogans that were not illegal, but were against its directors' religious beliefs, the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland has confirmed.
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