[IER] IER EXPERT WEBINAR SERIES: Equality at work update 2020, parts 1 & 2

Wed Oct 7 10:58:49 BST 2020

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Our upcoming expert equality webinars

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/equality-at-work-update-2020-webinar-part-1/> 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/equality-at-work-update-2020-webinar-part-2/> 

The pandemic has brought inequalities in the workforce to the forefront, especially in terms of the virus’ disproportionate harm to the health and livelihoods of BAME groups. Signs of the devastating impact of the Coronavirus on BAME communities arose early in the crisis and led the Equality and Human Rights Commission to launch an inquiry into the entrenched societal inequalities that are thought to have contributed to this effect. The body cited a trend of poorer working and housing conditions among the factors it would be investigating.

Meanwhile, the Black Lives Matter Protests were sparked by the murder of George Floyd in the US. The demonstrations were largely supported by the public but triggered a much-criticised response from the government. Boris Johnson announced an inquiry into racial inequalities but appointed two well-known sceptics of institutional racism at its helm.  But these inequalities were not created by the virus, they are embedded in the UK’s labour law framework. In part 1 of the IER conference <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/equality-at-work-update-2020-webinar-part-1/> , leading lawyer Aileen McColgan QC will discuss the disparate racial impact of Covid. Sue Coe, Senior Policy Officer at the TUC, and Ijeoma Omambala, a barrister at Old Square Chambers, will lead delegates through the inadequacies of current equality legislation and its enforcement, before considering progressive reforms for the future.

In part two of the equality Series <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/equality-at-work-update-2020-webinar-part-2/> , top lawyers and campaigners will discuss the gender pay gap. Figures from the Office for National Statistics recorded that women were paid 17.3% less than men in 2019. Among the many factors believed to contribute to this discrepancy are societal inequalities around the provision of childcare duties (reinforced by unequal parental leave laws); the devaluing of work considered ‘womanly’, such as care work; and discrimination against women – especially in senior roles.

Like many inequalities, the Coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on these issues. There is already strong evidence that pregnant women and new mothers are being disproportionately made redundant as employers cut staff, with the unavailability of childcare being one of the top factors women blamed. Further, the devaluing of social care work has been thrust to the forefront of the political landscape, as awareness of the poor pay and working conditions these workers – most of whom are female – face.

Other key workers, such as childcare providers, have also been in the news after research from the Social Mobility Commission found many were paid less than £5 per hour. Self-employed women were also badly affected, with the government’s own Self Employment Income Support Scheme failing to account for the loss of earnings during maternity leave taken within the last two years when calculating how much support self-employed people were eligible for. It seems inevitable that the gender pay gap will only be widened by the pandemic. Now is the time to resolve the issue once and for all.

Introducing a new publication on the gender pay gap, which will be released by the Institute of Employment Rights at a later date, Caroline Underhill of Thompsons Solicitors will provide an overview of the problems women face. Josie Urwin of Unison will discuss how these factors are affecting women on the frontline, and Rianna Gargiulo of Equality Trust will discuss gender pay gap reporting and if it is enough to address the gender pay gap.

Book for part 1 @ £10 per delegate: Click here to book a place for you and your colleagues <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/equality-at-work-update-2020-webinar-part-1/>  

Book for part 2 @ £10 per delegate. Click here to book a place for you and your colleagues <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/equality-at-work-update-2020-webinar-part-2/> 

Alternatively check ticketing options for parts 1 & 2 on either of the above links for £15 per delegate (25% off). 

If you need to pay by invoice rather than book online, please contact us at the office.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/institute-events/> Register your place for any of IER’s events 

IER and Covid-19

Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER have decided to postpone all forthcoming IER events and meetings until further notice, including both Health and safety at work after Brexit conferences in Liverpool and London, the IER Executive Committee, IER AGM and our joint event with the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on 6th June.

IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.

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