"Diversity in Business: How Much Progress Have Employers Made?"
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Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, June 2006
Research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a UK-based professional body for those involved in the management and development
of people, has revealed that legislation is the leading motive for improving workplace diversity. Despite this, the CIPD suggests that many businesses are still failing to comply with the appropriate legislation.
The CIPD warned that many businesses are not dealing with all the diversity and discrimination issues covered by law, leaving themselves vulnerable to legal claims.
Two-thirds of the 285 CIPD members polled put "legal pressures" as one of their top five key factors for achieving diversity. The Diversity in Business report found other important reasons given by employers for improving diversity were that it "makes business sense" and is "morally right," with 62 percent saying corporate social responsibility is a major factor. Sixty-four percent cited recruiting and retaining the best talent as a leading reason and 62 percent thought a diverse workforce would help them become an employer of choice.
Most businesses said they considered disability above any other diversity issue, with it being the most popular issue covered in diversity policies. According to the report, however, dspite this assertion 40 percent of businesses still fail to fully address the issue.
