Do you discriminate?

1st October 2008, 2:26pm

The hospitality industry is being challenged to face up to often unconscious discrimination which it is claimed is robbing it of the full potential value of its workforce.

Aimed at raising awareness of the lost opportunities that can hamstring businesses and frustrate staff, the One and All Foundation was launched today with the backing of a high-profile group of industry leaders acting as trustees.

Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform Stephen Timms attended the launch event at the Roast restaurant in Borough Market, London, telling a group of 200 industry leaders: "There are two issues here: Fairness and economic success.

"Fairness is about opening up opportunities for progression and development for all employees. The economic argument is that we need the full potential of all individuals to be realised if we are to thrive through these trying economic times."

Peter Lederer, chairman of Gleneagles and chair of the One and All Foundation told the gathering: "We all say we don't discriminate, but we all do – consciously or unconsciously. Being aware of that is the first step."

He said he himself suffers from dyslexia, a condition which together with related learning difficulties affects 10% of the population.

"Most of these people when faced with one of your application forms won't be able to fill it in to your satisfaction and probably won't even get an interview.

"Yet such people can be incredibly creative and contribute hugely to your business in other ways. We want One and All to help hospitality become a true meritocracy that engages all the available talent and helps people take advantage of the opportunities.

"Can we, as an industry, ensure we benefit from the talent that's available? This is not positive discrimination, it is not quotas, it is not more red tape and box ticking and it's certainly not simply avoiding more claims.

"It is recognising talent then nurturing and developing it."

Jennifer Miller has been seconded from The Chess Partnership, the executive recruitment agency, to work for the Foundation and she told the launch about how individuals and companies within hospitality can get involved.

"We want to do more research to identify best practice in this area and then publicise it. There's a lot of good work being done already and it's silly to re-invent the wheel on this.

"The role of One and All is also to promote, educate and raise awareness, but this is not a straight-forward message to convey so it will take some time."

Other ideas include initiating reverse-mentoring and finding role models. Reverse mentoring involves pairing a senior and more junior company member where either or both represents one of the key areas of discrimination, with the idea that each learns and benefits from the mentoring process.

The six areas of discrimination are: Age, religion/belief, gender, disability, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

Miller also apologised for the fact that workforce monitoring will be necessary.

"I know you don't need any more red tape, but you can't understand a problem and deal with it unless you have firm information to work with."

She urged the industry to get involved, think about the issues, identify role models and consider sponsoring the work of the foundation.

For more details visit: www.oneandall.org.uk

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