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21st June 2007

NEWS IN BRIEF

SORB RESEARCH

It is now over three years since the sexual orientation and religion and belief regulations (SORB) were introduced. Acas, the Government’s conciliation and arbitration service, has recently published research looking at the impact that they have had in the workplace.

The research report – “Sexual orientation and religion or belief discrimination” - includes:

• A statistical analysis of Acas case records of all SORB cases between January 2004 and August 2006
• An analysis of ET1 (application) forms submitted by SORB claimants and ET3 (response) forms submitted by employers
• Two focus groups with Acas conciliators who had handled sexual orientation discrimination cases and two with conciliators who had handled religion or belief discrimination cases
• A survey of calls to the national Acas telephone helpline relating to alleged SORB discrimination
• A series of in-depth interviews with claimants who had brought SORB discrimination claims against their employer.

To download the report, go to: www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/g/s/01-07_1.pdf

WORKING FLEXIBLY

Acas has also published a booklet – “Flexible working and work-life balance” - to help employers and employees understand how flexible working can benefit their workplace.

The guide provides advice on a range of issues including:

• the different options available - from flexitime to shift-working, and part-time working to homeworking
• help with developing a flexible work policy
• the latest legal changes in the Work and Families Act
• a useful question and answer section to address common concerns about flexible working.

To download the booklet, go to: www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/i/t/B20_1.pdf

Also this week

The Suspension Mounts

Writing on the Wall