News

A footballer is gay..? So what, say the FA in new initiative against homophobia

The FA have pledged full support for the first Barclays Premier League player to break football's final taboo and openly admit to being gay.

Justin Fashanu remains the only player in the history of English football to 'come out', but the FA are to provide a secure platform for today's stars to challenge attitudes in the sport.

At the launch of a new awareness campaign at Wembley - Opening Doors and Joining In - FA chiefs also promised tough sanctions on anyone found guilty of homophobia.

Hate crime prosecutions reach record high

A record number of people were prosecuted for racially and religiously-motivated hate crimes in England and Wales last year.

Commission funds first age discrimination cases heard at the Supreme Court

The Commission will use the first two age discrimination cases to be heard by the UK’s Supreme Court today (17 January 2012) to argue that an exception to the law banning age discrimination in employment is in urgent need of clarification.

Both cases seek clarity from the UK’s highest court on the interpretation of the rule that allows employers to justify age discrimination if they can prove it is a 'proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim'.

Default retirement age was scrapped in April 2011, however, an employer can still force an employee to retire using if it can show that the policy is justifiable as a 'proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim'. For this reason, the Supreme Court’s clarification of the test has wide implications for all retirement situations.

The Commission is funding and running the direct discrimination case of Mr Seldon against the law firm where he was a senior partner - Clarkson, Wright and Jakes. He was forced to retire in 2006 because he turned 65.

The regulator is also funding the indirect discrimination case of Mr Homer against Yorkshire Police Constabulary where he was a senior legal advisor. He could not get the highest pay grade, after his employer’s rules changed, because he did not have a degree nor could he complete one before his retirement.

John Wadham, Group Legal Director at the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s said:

'Forced retirement ages have been abolished, but now lawyers and employers need to understand when age discrimination is 'justifiable' in terms of the law.

'People should be measured on what they can contribute in the workplace: age-related stereotypes about what people can or cannot do should not be a factor. It would not be tolerated if it was applied to any other form of discrimination.'

Ends

For more press information contact the Commission’s media office on 020 3117 0255, out of hours 07767 272 818.

For general enquiries please contact the Commission’s national helpline: England 0845 604 6610, Scotland 0845 604 5510 or Wales 0845 604 8810.

Notes to Editors

Direct age discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of their actual or perceived age, or because of the age of someone with whom they associate. The law permits justification of treatment only if it is a “proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”.

Indirect age discrimination: putting in place a rule or policy or way of doing things that has a worse impact on because of someone’s age, when this cannot be objectively justified.

Understanding cultural differences - March 6th Sleaford

Dignity in Care 2011

LINk REVIEW OF RESPONSES TO

Dignity in Care 2011

Delivery of Health and Social Care Services in relation to Dignity in Care

December 2011

Migrant Children’s Project Report

Migrant Children’s Project  Report - Seeking Support – a Guide to the Rights and Entitlements of Separated Children
 

Full report attached 
 

Department of Work and Pensions Report on benefits claimed by ethnicity, gender, age etc.

DWP publishes regular quarterly National Statistics on the number of people claiming working age benefits. These latest statistics issued in January 2012 are published for a range of claimant characteristics including gender, age, and in some instances ethnicity. Please note that these latest figures quoted are for period ending February 2011.

Follow Read More link below to download the DWP report

JUST Lincolnshire 2012 Diversity Calendar.

Did you know that last Monday (23rd January) was Chinese New Year ,or that today (27th January) is International Holcaust Memorial Day? ....

To help us all keep abreast of whats happening and when JUST Lincolnshire has published a 2012 Diversity Calendar and Planner in partnership with NE Lincolnshire Communities Together and Pinnacle Training Solutions.

The calendar shows all the important diversity related dates for 'Awareness Days or Weeks',  Multi Faith Religious Dates and Festivals, Commemorative events etc. etc..

Please download a copy by following the 'Read More' link below and don't miss another opportunity to reflect on or celebrate a special event..

Vacancies at JUST Lincolnshire for part time Admin Assistant and Treasurer.

JUST Lincolnshire are seeking to employ a part time Administration Assistant

The successful applicant will be based in Lincoln, with a good, demonstrable knowledge of clerical / admin work, including experience of basic book keeping and accounts using ‘Quick Books’.   He or she will require relevant qualifications in IT, Finance, Clerical skills and Business Administration. A background of working in the equalities arena and an understanding of voluntary sector funding bids would be an advantage.

Closing Date: midday Friday 10^th February 2012

Interview Date: week commencing 5th March 2012

Salary: £9,564 per annum (part time – 20 hours per week).

For further information or for an informal discussion please contact  Wesley Shelbourne on 01522 836161 or by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

Download a job description and person specification by following 'Read More' link below

JUST Lincolnshire is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes all applications irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, religion, belief, sexual orientation, age or disability. This vacancy is subject to a CRB disclosure. 

JUST Lincolnshire are also seeking to recruit a suitable person to join the Board of Directors as Treasurer.

This is an unpaid voluntary position, however mileage and other expenses will be paid. This position is subject to CRB disclosure.  Persons interested in this position are invited to  call or e-mail Wesley Shelbourne as above to arrange an informal discussion with the Chair of Directors Mr David Millar.

‘Hate crime’ in Lincolnshire has risen by 22 per cent in last five years. (Lincs Echo 23.1.12)

The number of racially or religiously aggravated offences reported to Lincolnshire Police has increased by 22 per cent in the last five years. There were 175 offences reported in the 2010 to 2011 financial year, compared with 143 in 2006 to 2007, according to Ministry of Justice figures. The number of racist incidents – not necessarily crimes – also increased by 12 per cent, from 247 to 277.

 Despite this, Lincolnshire Police says the county has one of the lowest levels of hate crime in England and Wales.

 Assistant chief constable Keith Smy said officer training and public confidence in the police could explain the increase. "A higher number of recorded crimes could be down to increased reporting, better recognition of hate crime and more accurate recording rather than an actual increase in occurrences," he said.

Follow 'Read More' below for further comments