Equality Commission Northern Ireland

INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Basic – for beginners in employment equality
This seminar is designed to give employers an awareness of the principal anti-discrimination laws and explores the concepts of direct and indirect discrimination.  It also looks at the reasonable adjustment duty as well as the particular requirements of Northern Ireland's fair employment legislation.

Session overview:
 

• The role and function of the Equality Commission
• Introduction to anti-discrimination legislation in NI
• Definitions of discrimination
• Guidance on best practice

RECRUITING FAIRLY 

Systematic, fair and objective recruitment and selection procedures increase the likelihood that the most suitable persons will be appointed and significantly reduce the possibility that unlawful discrimination will occur. This session looks in detail at the various aspects of the recruitment and selection process and aims to provide employers with practical guidance and support.

Session overview:
 

• Recruitment and selection and the law
• Practical examination of key aspects of the recruitment and selection process (including job documentation and reasonable adjustments)
• Equality codes of practice and up to date case law

MANAGING WORKPLACE HARASSMENT

This session examines the types of behaviour that is likely to constitute harassment and the impact of these behaviours in the workplace. It highlights the legal position in relation to harassment, and touches briefly on the key differences between workplace harassment and bullying. The session also looks at issues of liability - both organisational and individual, and at the reasonable steps defence in relation to harassment complaints.

Session overview:
 

• Definitions
• Types of harassment
• Nature and consequences of workplace harassment
• Legal context

PREGNANCY AND MATERNITY AT WORK

This session will be co-delivered by the Equality Commission and the Labour Relations Agency. It will focus on informing employers of their responsibilities in relation to equality and employment law related issues regarding pregnancy and maternity.

It has been designed to provide employers with the key advice they need to ensure they are complying with their legal responsibilities following a recent investigation into pregnancy and maternity conducted by the Commission.

Session overview:
 

• Brief overview of equality and employment law, with a focus on their application to pregnancy, maternity and maternity leave
• Issues of discrimination that can arise from the management of pregnancy and maternity leave
• Best practice examples

HOW TO COMPLETE AN ARTICLE 55 REVIEW

This session explains the key duties for employers under fair employment legislation and advises on the preparation for the three yearly review due under Article 55 of the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998.

Session overview:
 

• The legal duties for employers
• Article 55 documentation
• Evaluating data and assessing fair participation
• Reviewing fair participation
• Identifying affirmative action measures

PROMOTING DISABILITY EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE

This session will look at the management of disability in the workplace with a particular emphasis on the reasonable adjustment duty and promotion of equality of opportunity for disabled applicants and employees. It is aimed at employers who already have a knowledge of the key provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, including the definition and other types of disability discrimination.

Session overview:
 

• The reasonable adjustment duty
• Promoting equality of opportunity for disabled applicants and employees
• Case studies from Equality Commission decisions and settlements
   

GENDER EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE

This seminar will provide an overview of sex discrimination law, as it applies in Northern Ireland, focusing on key issues such as maternity/pregnancy discrimination, harassment, flexible working and the differences between equal pay and gender pay reporting.

Session overview:
 

• Identifying  the appropriate policies and procedures to support people before, during and after maternity leave
• Providing training and information on policies and procedures in relation to  harassment and sexual harassment
• Overview of flexible working in relation to promoting equality of opportunity
• Identifying the differences between equal pay and gender pay reporting
• Positive action measures
• Good practice examples
   

MENTAL HEALTH CHARTER SEMINAR

This seminar is for those who have signed up to the Mental Health Charter and for those who are interested in learning more about it. It will be an opportunity to share useful tips, resources, advice and knowledge, and will look at how to implement action measures and best practice in the workplace.

Session overview:
 

• Do you know how to intervene early when employees are struggling?
• What preventative measures are you taking to protect the mental health of your workforce?
• Have you reviewed your employment policies and procedures  for mental ill health?
• We will identify and provide sources of information and support regarding mental ill health.

PUBLIC SECTOR: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE S75 DUTIES
 

• The legal basis of Section 75
• What are public authorities required to do under Section 75?
• What is an equality scheme?
• What should an equality scheme contain?
• What is screening and equality impact assessments?
• The role of consultation and monitoring in Section 75
• The link between Section 75 and other equality legislation in NI

PUBLIC SECTOR: SECTION 75 DUTIES
- A FOCUS ON SCREENING

• Why Screen-link to equality scheme commitments?
• When, how and by whom should screening be undertaken?
• Screening and equality impact assessment
• Challenging the myths around screening
• Good Practice Screening
• Summary of our S75 advice on screening and EQIA's (pdf, 409kb)
  
   

MONITORING WORKSHOPS

These session will advise employers on how to comply with their legislative duty to collate and retain monitoring information for inclusion in the annual monitoring return.

Session overview:
 

• Discuss completion of the annual monitoring return
• Address employer queries

Workshops are limited to 6 places, book now to avoid disappointment.