Equalities commitment
The diversity agenda, including policies and procedures to remove inequality, is driven by
Corporate Equality and Diversity Strategy Group (CEDSG)
This group, formed in 2005, sets corporate strategy, monitors progress and takes corrective action to achieve the corporate equality goals.
The group is chaired by the chief executive and consists of one assistant director per department, assistant director of Resources (HR) / chair of human resource leadership group, chair of corporate equality group, corporate equality officer.
Corporate Equality Group (CEG)
CEG develops, implements and monitors corporate and developmental equality and diversity performance measures relating to legislation and government standards.
The group includes two representatives at senior officer level from each department; one with responsibility for service delivery and a personnel officer with responsibility for employment issues; representatives of the trade unions, all self managed staff groups and the corporate equality officer.
It meets at least every two months and has several sub groups, for example the Equality Standard Self Assessment group and the Electronic Service Diversity Review subgroup.
One of its main roles is to monitor the Corporate Equality Plan and provide the strategic link between departmental equality monitoring groups.
For more information contact:
Maggie Else
Tel: 0115 977 4438
E-mail: equalities@nottscc.gov.uk
Self Managed Workers' Groups
The council supports several self managed workers' groups.
- Corporate Black Workers’ Support Group
- Corporate Disabled Workers’ Group
- Corporate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group
These self-managed groups are set up to allow employees to meet in work time for three hours a month.
During meetings the groups have a support session where members can air any problems they may be having in relation to employment or they may wish to share how they have tackled a particular issue successfully.
They also provide us with an opportunity to consult on our performance in specific areas of diversity in service delivery as well as employment issues and organisational development.
The groups are in various stages of development and we encourage continual growth and the inclusion of these networks in our internal initiatives.
Corporate Black Workers' Support Group
The Corporate Black Workers' Support Group (CBWSG) was formed in 2007 as the result of a merger between the Social Services Black Workers Group and the Black Workers Group for Culture and Community, Education, Environment and Resources.
The term 'black' in this context is used in its political sense to encompass all people who are more likely to experience discrimination due to the colour of their skin. Thus the membership of the Corporate Black Workers' Support Group comprises people of African, Caribbean, Asian and mixed race origin.
The group meets once a month for 3 hours. Meetings are currently scheduled for the third Wednesday of each calendar month.
The Social Services Black Workers Group was formed in 1980 with a particular emphasis on supporting staff experiencing racial discrimination at work, and black staff who were at risk of dismissal through redundancy or disciplinary proceedures.
The Culture and Community, Education, Environment and Resources Black Workers Group was formed in 2001 and had as its emphasis activities to promote the recruitment, retention and advancement of black and other racial minority staff within the County Council.
The merged group now meets monthly as a consultation forum for employment policies and practice, professional development, and means of personal support to those staff who are more likely to experience discrimination as a result of the colour of their skin. The group has a steering committee and political representation at the Corporate Equality Group.
Aims
The aims of the Corporate Black Workers Support Group are:
- To support all black employees on matters relating to employment.
- To promote the recruitment, retention and advancement of black and other racial minority employees within Nottinghamshire County Council.
- To challenge racial discrimination within the workplace.
- To offer advice, guidance and support to black employees with regard to relevant legislation, employment rights, local government policy and procedures.
- To empower black staff to have a positive impact on their working lives.
- To advise Nottinghamshire County Council on developing good practice in matters relating to the recruitment, retention and advancement of black and other racial minority groups.
Benefits of membership
- The group has a corporate identity and a voice which is heard at strategic level where concerns and issues affecting black staff can be raised.
- A unique opportunity to network with black staff employed in other departments on issues related to recruitment, retention, professional training and self development.
- Additional support for staff who may be experiencing victimisation or racial discrimination at work.
- Professional seminars and training sessions are arranged throughout the year; aimed at self improvement, empowerment and professional development.
- Access to a resource library of books, cassesttes and DVDs of material aimed at both personal and professional development.
Contacts
For more information contact:
- Sharon Mundle, chair, tel: 0115 993 4628
- Ali Lewis. co-chair, tel 0115 914 1587
All contacts will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Corporate Disabled Workers' Group
The Corporate Disabled Workers' Group, which is a self-managed group, was set up in 1990 to give support to disabled employees as well as a sounding board for policies.
The group works to an action plan and reports to the Corporate Equality Group. Leaflets about the group are available through personnel officers and at departmental inductions for new employees.
We meet alternatively at County Hall and Mansfield on a Friday morning normally during term time 9.30am-12.30pm about every 6-8 weeks. There are usually two British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters at the meeting. Disabled employees of NCC are entitled to attend the meetings even if Friday happens to be a non working day for them.
During the meeting, we have a session called personal issues, where anyone can freely discuss any concerns. We have County Councillor Mick Storey as the group's councillor champion and Jack Markiewicz, service director - human resources, as senior officer champion and with consent of members we take specific issues to them as well as general concerns/issues.
Members of the group are representatives on other groups i.e. Corporate Equality Group, Departmental Equality Groups, Service Diversity Review Quality Assurance Group.
For more information contact:
Pete Edwards (Chair)
Tel: 0115 977 2844
E-mail: disabled.workers@nottscc.gov.uk
Corporate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Group
This group was formed in December 2001.
It meets once a month, generally mid-month, for three hours during work time.
There are invited speakers who have included representatives from partner LGBT organisations, personnel, Unions, councillors, staff development and social work training.
The group is open to all employees of Nottinghamshire County Council who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered.
Two group members attend the Corporate Equalities Group to raise the profile of lesbian, gay, trans and bisexual issues within the County Council. Input from this group is essential for those meetings.
The aims of the group are to:
- support all lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans employees on matters relating to employment.
- raise the profile of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans employees.
- challenge discrimination in the workforce on the grounds of sexuality.
- offer advice and guidance with regard to employment rights, pension rights etc.
- invite speakers to talk about issues that are relevant to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans employees.
- advise Nottinghamshire County Council on developing policy and good practice in matters relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality and other issues.
Standing agenda for LGBT group meetings:
- guest speaker.
- Corporate Equalities Group feedback.
- employment issues.
- informal discussion/support.
All contacts will be treated in the strictest confidence.
If you are not able to attend group meetings we are happy to send out information/minutes as appropriate.
Contacts:
Phil Smith
Tel: 0115 977 3208
E-mail: phil.smith@nottscc.gov.uk
The above information is available in different formats, please see contact details at the end of each section.
