Charnwood Borough Council

Gender Equality Scheme Survey

NEW laws which aim to promote gender equality and eliminate discrimination in the workplace come into force in April – and Charnwood Borough Council wants to hear your views.

The Gender Equality Duty places the legal responsibility on public Authorities to demonstrate that they treat men and women fairly – and not depend on individuals making complaints about sex discrimination.

Now Charnwood is encouraging people to send in their views on the laws and submit examples of good practice by completing an online survey. There is a link to an online form at the bottom of this page.

The feedback will help the Authority shape its gender equality scheme and action plan ahead of the new legislation.

Cllr Betty Newton, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Equality, encouraged people to send in their thoughts and views by completing the survey.

She added: “I welcome the strengthening of the gender equality legislation as it will address long-standing discrimination and lead to people being treated fairly, regardless of their gender or background.

“Even though there has been 35 years of sex discrimination legislation, significant inequalities still exist but I’m sure the Gender Equality Duty will address these issues.”

Examples of inequalities include:

• Women earn, on average, 17% less than men for full-time work;
• 57% of female employees use some kind of flexible working arrangement – but only 23% of men do;
• Less than 1% of people in plumbing occupations are women and only 2% of childcare workers are men.

Sarah Cromie, Charnwood Borough Council’s Performance Improvement Officer (Equality), added: “Public service providers will need to look at who uses their services and ask ‘what are the different needs of women and men and how can we meet them’?

“Public sector employers will also need to consider their employment practices and the needs of all their staff, including those that identify as transgender or transsexual.”

Click on the link below to complete the online survey

Alternatively, if you would like a paper copy, please call Sarah Cromie on (01509) 634 504 or email her at sarah.cromie@charnwood.gov.uk

• Gender Equality Online Survey Form (Web Page 2.02 Kb.)