Diversity

Diversity is all about celebrating the wonderful mix of human life. 

The information on this page has been compiled to provide support for those who may face specific issues within the graduate job market.

Don't forget that you can book an appointment to chat with a Careers Adviser about careers-related issues.  Follow the link below to find out how:

• Talking to a Careers Adviser

Follow the link below to find out Equality and Diversity at Staffordshire University:

• Equality & Diversity at Staffordshire University

Access to Work can help you if your health or disability affects the way you do your job. It gives you and your employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs. Follow the link below to check if you qualify for Access to Work:

•  Access to Work

The UK introduced age discrimination legislation covering employment and vocational training when the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations came into force on 1 October 2006. The Regulations cover many aspects of working life from recruitment to retirement and pension. The legislation generally makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on grounds of their age. However there are some exemptions.  Follow the links below for age-related information and advice:

• Handling Discrimination - Age - at Prospects

• Age Discrimination at Directgov

• The Age & Employment Network (TAEN)

• 'Graduates of all ages can apply' at TargetJobs

• Age Equality at the Equality and Human Rights Commission

• Diversity Matters - Age - by AGCAS (PDF, file size: 221.55KB)

Nearly one in five people of working age (7 million) in Great Britain are disabled. Source: The Office for National Statistics

Employers are increasingly eager to accommodate the UK’s 11 million disabled people into the workforce, although barriers to employment do still exist.  Find more information below:

• Handling Discrimination - Disability - at Prospects

• Access to Work at Directgov

• 'Disability and graduate recruitment:  making the workplace accessible' at TargetJobs

• Remploy - providers of employment services to people with disabilities

• Disability Equality at the Equality and Human Rights Commission

• Diversity Matters - Disability - by AGCAS (PDF, file size: 166.32KB)

Statistics about the number of students and graduates with criminal convictions are not readily available, but many people have been found guilty of an isolated offence . . . others have been through a period during their youth which resulted in a pattern of offences.  Source:  Diversity Matters - Ex-offenders.

Whatever your circumstances, follow the link below for information and guidance.  You can talk to a Careers Adviser in complete confidence if you need some advise about how criminal convictions could affect your career.

•  Diversity Matters - Ex-offenders - by AGCAS (PDF, file size: 163.96KB)

Women and men, including transsexual people, have the right not to be discriminated against at work because of their sex. Follow the links below for information and guidance on sexual equality issues.

• Handling Discrimination - Women - at Prospects

• Gender equality at the Equality and Human Rights Commission

• Transgender equality at the Equality and Human Rights Commission

• Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay at Directgov

• 'Gender and graduate recruitment:  men and women make the right mix' at TargetJobs

• Diversity Matters - Gender - by AGCAS (PDF, file size: 164.44KB)

• Diversity Matters - Transsexual and Transgender - by AGCAS (PDF, file size: 172.17KB)

Being employed can be good for our mental health. It provides identity, purpose and satisfaction, friendship, structure and an opportunity to meet goals and contribute to society.  Source:  Time to Change  Follow the links below for information and advice on employment and mental health.  You may also want to follow the links in the Disability section above.

• Diversity Matters - Mental Health - by AGCAS (PDF, file size: 172.28KB)

• Living with mental illness - work - at Rethink

• Time to Change website

• Mind Guide to Surviving Working Life

The law is clear that racial discrimination should have no place in employment. Many companies have adopted policies and procedures to support this aspiration. But cause for concern persists.  Source:  Prospects

Follow the links below for information and advice concerning race related employment issues:

• Handling Discrimination - Race - at Prospects

• Information about racial discrimination at Directgov

• 'Race, religion and ethnicity in graduate employment' at TargetJobs

• Race Equality at the Equality and Human Rights Commission

• Diversity Matters - Race - by AGCAS (PDF, file size: 175.27KB)

Students and graduates from other countries face their own set of specific issues when finding work in the UK.  Follow the links below for more information. 

• International students: Graduate recruitment in the UK

• UK Council for International Student Affairs

• Staffordshire University international students can contact our International Student Centre for advice on work visas

It is against the law for an employer to discriminate against you because of your religion or belief. You are also protected against harassment or victimisation at work. Follow the links below to find out about your rights and what you can do if you are treated unfairly because of your religion or belief.

• Handling Discrimination - Religion and Belief - at Prospects

• Religion or belief discrimination at Directgov

• Religion and belief equality at the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Prejudice concerning sexual orientation is still prevalent within society and the workplace, but the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 have made an impact. The regulations cover both discrimination in selection and promotion in employment and the equally significant issue of harassment. Employers have a responsibility not only to act fairly themselves but also to prevent hostile activity, such as bullying, being carried out by employees.  Source:  Prospects

• Handling Discrimination - Sexual Orientation - at Prospects

• Sexual orientation discrimination at Directgov

• 'Sexual orientation and graduate recruitment:  the disclosure dilemma' at TargetJobs

• Sexual orientation equality at the Equality and Human Rights Commission

• Stonewall - at work

• Diversity Matters - Sexual Orientation - by AGCAS (PDF, file size: 167.97KB)

• Diversity Matters - Transsexual and Transgender - by AGCAS (PDF, file size: 172.17KB)

Thinking of recruiting?  Follow the links below for an overview of the issues surrounding your responsibilities as an employer.

• Recruiting People - at Business Link

• Equality and Diversity - at Business Link

• Guidance on the New Equality Act - at the Equality & Human Rights Commission

• Delivering Equality & Diversity Booklet - at ACAS

• Employ Ability - at the Department for Work and Pensions

Need help recruiting?  Contact the Careers Centre Employer Liaison Co ordinators via JobZone, email jobzone@staffs.ac.uk. 

Find below links to a selection of diversity job websites:

• DisabledGo - http://jobs.disabledgo.com/

• Blind in Business - http://www.blindinbusiness.co.uk/

• Scope Graduate Scheme - http://www.scope.org.uk/services/employment-service/graduate-scheme

• Network of Black Professionals - http://www.nbp.org.uk/

• Diversity Now - http://www.diversitynow.net/

• Association of Disabled Professionals - http://www.adp.org.uk

• Shaw Trust - employment opportunities - http://www.shaw-trust.org.uk/support_for_individuals

• Lifeworks Staffordshire - enabling adults with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism to find employment; based in Newcastle under Lyme.  Telephone 01782 615222 or email lifeworks1@btinternet.com