The message from the Employment & Social Security committee comes as draft proposals for anti-discrimination legislation have been released today – with islanders asked for their views.
The committee’s aim is to bring the legislation in by 2021 and it will apply to employment, goods and services provisions, accommodation, education, clubs and associations.
Ten protected grounds have been included in the legislation: age, carer status, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation and trans status.
These characteristics have been chosen because proposers believe everyone in Guernsey has some of them.
Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, president of the Employment & Social Security committee, said businesses would need to make changes to abide by the new law unless those changes would be a disproportionate burden.
‘It’s the small, inexpensive adjustments that will make the big difference to people and part of the Equality and Rights organisation mandate will be to educate on this.’
She said the rewards reaped in businesses where equality thrived has been documented in a 2015 report by consultants McKinsey.
This publication examined diversity in the workplace for several years and examined data from 366 public companies from a range of industries across Canada, Latin America, the United States and the UK.
It found companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity were 30% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry average.
Those in the top gender diversity quartile were 15% more likely to have financial returns higher than their industry average.
Deputy Emilie Yerby, a member of the committee said benefits were already being realised in Guernsey.
‘We have seen recently employers coming forward and talking about the positive impacts it has.
‘Businesses are already seeing benefits, the more businesses come forward and say they have reaped the benefits the more others will be encouraged.’
She said those that take equality on board could see themselves go from strength to strength.
The public have until the end of September to submit views on the proposals and a policy letter with final legislation proposals will be submitted to the States of Guernsey in April next year.
Deputy Le Clerc said the committee hoped a wide range of islanders would respond to the draft.
‘Anyone could experience discrimination and we want to hear from individuals about their hopes for the future of this legislation,’ she said.
‘It is also really important that we hear from the business community because they will have new duties under the legislation to make sure that their services and staff management are inclusive and non-discriminatory.’
Deputy Le Clerc said the committee understood that businesses would need time to prepare and one question posed to the public addresses how long it should take to bring in implementation of the new law.
At the same time that public consultation is running, the committee will develop an Equality and Rights organisation.
Another question open to the public is what should be included in the mandate for this organisation.
‘It is really important that we have an ERO in place for education and to raise awareness,’ said deputy Le Clerc.
BLOB: A presentation will be held next week on 15 July at 7.30pm at the Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts where members of the public can learn more about the draft and ask questions.
It will be live streamed on the States of Guernsey Facebook page for those who are unable to attend.
BLOB: A range of documents on the draft proposals as well as information on how islanders can take part in the consultation can be found at www.gov.gg/discriminationconsultation.
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