New laws dictating the use of positive action in recruitment and promotion could see more diversity in the office.
The rules dictate that if an employer is having difficulty deciding between two candidates of equal merit they are allowed to opt for a minority group, in a bid to improve representation in the office space in London or elsewhere in the UK.
Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation will all be taken into consideration under the new rule, according to HR Magazine.
Emma Bartlett, from the employment team at law firm Speechly Bircham, told the news provider: “Positive action should be incorporated as part of a considered diversity policy, to compliment other diversity measures and should be clearly communicated to staff.”
The Equality and Human Rights Commission says that workplaces which have a diverse workforce offer a wider pool of talent and experience. The body said that this creates an office space environment where colleagues’ opinions are valued.
