Comment on EHRC Women and the Workplace Survey

Posted: 19 February 2018, in News

WOMEN ARE LEADING THE WAY IN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Employers are ‘living in the dark ages’ in terms of women in the workplace, according to a new survey from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The report highlights worrying attitudes and unlawful behaviour when it comes to recruiting women.

Duncan Thorp of Social Enterprise Scotland said: “This new report highlights a number of serious concerns when it comes to employer attitudes towards women.

“In contrast 64% of social enterprises are now led by women, according to the Social Enterprise Census 2017 – and Social Enterprise Scotland has already achieved the 50/50 by 2020 initiative for company boards.

“Alongside the real Living Wage, small pay gaps between highest and lowest paid plus local community leadership, social enterprises are leading the way in building fairer workplaces.”

END

Notes:

1 The new report from the EHRC: www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/news/employers-dark-ages-over-recruitment-pregnant-women-and-new-mothers

2 The Social Enterprise Census 2017: www.socialenterprise.scot/policy/200

3 The story in Insider magazine: “Study reveals ‘antiquated’ attitudes of employers to recruiting women” www.insider.co.uk/news/equality-and-human-rights-commission-12047779

4 The 50/50 by 2020 initiative: http://onescotland.org/equality-themes/5050-by-2020

5 What is Social Enterprise? Social enterprise is a dynamic and inspiring way of doing business. Social enterprises are innovative, independent businesses that exist specifically for social and/or environmental purposes. Read more here.

6 What examples are there? Diverse examples include: The Big Issue, The Wise Group, Divine Chocolate, Kibble Education and Care Centre, Glasgow Housing Association, Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, Link Group Ltd, the Eden Project in Cornwall, Capital Credit Union, The Grameen Foundation, Mondragon Corporation in the Basque Country and the Homeless World Cup.