REC Welcomes Baroness McGregor-Smith and Backs Government’s Fight Against Discrimination

 

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) welcomes Baroness McGregor-Smith CBE today to discuss employment issues faced by black and minority ethnic (BME) workers.

 

Baroness McGregor-Smith, Chief Executive of Mitie, is leading the government’s review into the progression of BME employees, and will meet the REC and a selection of its members to gain expert knowledge of the hiring process and to discuss the role recruiters can play in challenging discrimination and unconscious bias in the workplace.   

 

In 2015, the difference in employment rates between the overall population and ethnic minorities was 11.1 percentage points, according to statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions.

 

REC Chief Executive Kevin Green says:

 

“We believe that jobs transform lives and so we are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed. Employers and recruiters have a special responsibility to create inclusive workplaces and to ensure good recruitment practices.

 

“The business case for getting this right is obvious. We have record employment in the UK and skills shortages in most sectors. Employers need to be as effective as possible at attracting talent from all parts of society.

 

“We welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important initiative. Recruiters have an important role to play in challenging bad practice while also promoting open and transparent selection for all roles. Through the Good Recruitment Campaign we are actively working to champion the importance of workplace inclusion to organisational success.”

 

Baroness McGregor-Smith CBE, Chief Executive of Mitie, says:

 

“I am determined that this review will help to remove the barriers in the workplace that prevent individuals of all backgrounds from fulfilling their potential – these actions will deliver long-term social and economic benefits for the UK.”

 

The McGregor-Smith review is part of the government’s BME 2020 plan, which aims to improve labour market outcomes for those from BME backgrounds. This includes increasing the proportion of apprenticeships taken up by young people from BME backgrounds by 20 per cent, increasing the number of BME students going to university by 20 per cent, and increasing BME employment by 20 per cent by 2020.

 

Ends

 

Notes to editors:

 

1. Labour Market Status by Ethnic Group, Department for Work and Pensions, April 2016, p 3: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/515622/labour-market-status-by-ethnic-group-april-2016.pdf 
   
   The employment rate gap (the difference in employment rates) between the overall population and ethnic minorities for 2015 is 11.1 percentage points.

  

	Ethnic minorities	Overall population
Employment rate (16-64)	62.80%	73.90%
Unemployment rate (16+)	9.90%	5.40%
Inactivity rate (16-64)	30.20%	21.80%

 

 

2. Review launched to help BME workers progress in their careers, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, 10 May 2016:     https://www.gov.uk/government/news/review-launched-to-help-bme-workers-progress-in-their-careers