Jonathan Maude, Chair, UK/EU Employment Law Committee, recently commented on racial inequality at work on HR Grapevine’s latest podcast. The host, Sophie Parrott, Online Editor at HR Grapevine, notes that while it is positive that employers are supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement, there will likely be questions regarding what they are doing to support Black colleagues at work. She and her guests share ways in which human resources professionals can help to ensure fair and equal treatment.

Mr. Maude’s comments focus on the responsibility that employers have under the Equality Act when it comes to racial equality at work.

“Of course employers do have an obligation to ensure the workplace is free from unfair treatment and prohibited conduct towards a person on the grounds of a protected characteristic such as race,” said Mr. Maude. “Unfair treatment or prohibited conduct includes direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimization.” He continues, diving deeper into what constitutes harassment. “Aperson harasses another if that person engages in conduct related to the protected characteristic where the conduct has the effect of violating dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.”

Listen to the podcast in full on Soundcloud.