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Work Christmas Parties: How Employers Can Celebrate Safely This Festive Season
December parties feel informal, but legally they remain an extension of the workplace. That means employers retain responsibility for staff conduct, even if the celebration is held off-site at a bar, restaurant or hired venue.
With employers now subject to a legal preventative duty on sexual harassment, and tribunals continuing to scrutinise behaviour that happens “off the clock”, businesses need to approach the party season with equal measures of goodwill and good planning.
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Global study reveals Gen Z women increasingly identify as bisexual, while people identifying as lesbian continue to be embraced
A new study sheds light on the evolving landscape of sexual identity among queer women, revealing a notable shift within Generation Z. The research indicates that Gen Z women, aged 20 to 29, are now more frequently identifying as bisexual, underscoring an increasingly fluid understanding of sexuality.
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UK government falls short on international human rights commitments, says regulator
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued a warning that human rights in the UK are being compromised because of gaps in the government’s action.
Despite recommendations made three years ago, the UK government is failing to protect fundamental human rights, including rights to protest, healthcare access for disabled people and migrant workers’ freedom from exploitation. While progress has been made in some areas, there is still work to be done to ensure that everyone can enjoy basic human rights, including to education, healthcare and to freedom from discrimination, abuse and harassment.
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Woman recognised as 'first black Briton' by BBC was actually white
A woman who was recognised as the “first black Briton” by the BBC was actually white, a new genetic study has shown.
A new DNA analysis of the skeleton by scientists at the Natural History Museum has shown that the woman originated from southern England and was white, with blonde hair and light eyes.
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More than 90 per cent of streaming TV made by white people, study finds
A new study from the University of California at Los Angeles has found that more than 90 per cent of streaming shows are created by white people, with a decline in cultural diversity both behind and in front of the camera.
"When you shut the door on diversity, you shut out opportunities for more perspectives, collaboration, exploration and growth"
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BP appoints its first female CEO
BP has appointed Meg O’Neill as chief executive, making her the first woman to run a top five global oil firm.
US-born O’Neill, who will start her new role in April, has been running Australian oil and gas firm Woodside Energy as CEO since 2021 having joined the firm as chief operating officer in 2018.
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Protecting EDI work in the charity sector
The charity sector is one built on social purpose, with Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) work core to workplace culture and the delivery of services that meet the needs of wider communities. The role of EDI is increasingly questioned, politicised and even actively resisted. This presents organisations with the challenge of how to visibly stand by their values whilst mediating conflict, and absorbing hostility.
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Minorities rights day in India: Date, meaning and significance
Minorities Rights Day on 18 December is not just about marking a date on the calendar. It is about reinforcing the idea that diversity is a strength and that protecting minority rights strengthens the nation as a whole. Awareness, dialogue and empathy remain the strongest tools to ensure that every community feels safe, heard and valued.
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Former JD Sports employee awarded £65k after male boss sexually harassed her
A student who worked as a sales assistant has settled a sexual harassment case against her former employer JD Sports for £65,000.
Jayla Boyd worked part time in a Belfast store while studying for her A-levels.
During a shift, Ms Boyd, who was 17 at the time, was slapped on the bottom by a male supervisor and was upset that her employer failed to offer her support after the incident.
In settling the case, JD Sports Fashion PLC acknowledged and apologised for the significant upset to Ms Boyd.
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Government's strategy to tackle violence against women and girls in England
The plans for schools in England - which focus on preventing the radicalisation of young men - will be unveiled later after being pushed back three times.
Teachers will be given training to spot and tackle misogyny in the classroom, while high-risk pupils could be sent on behavioural courses as part of the government's strategy to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade.
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