Equality
Current Equality News
Employment Equality Amendment Bill 2012
A bill introduced by Sen. Averil Power (FF) was defeated in the Seanad on 2nd May 2012. The Bill would have amended the Section 37.1 of the Employment Equality Act, in order to give protection on the sexual orientation and family status grounds.
Ministers Ruairi Quinn and Alan Shatter attended the debate, and indicated that the Government intended to bring forward its own proposals in relation to this matter. INTO had welcomed the introduction of the Bill as a worthwhile step in achieving the objective of preventing discrimination against teachers.
For further details of the debate see http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2012/05/02/00007.asp
ICTU Engagement on New Workplace Relations Structures
ICTU recently facilitated an engagement between equality representatives from various unions and representatives of the Department of Justice and Equality and the Equality Tribunal in relation to proposals to merge the various employment rights bodies.
For further details see http://www.ictu.ie/equality/2012/05/14/equality-and-blueprint-to-deliver-a-world-class-wo/
Racist Bullying Module
The INTO, in conjunction with the Equality Authority has developed an on-line in-service module for schools and teachers to assist in the prevention and resolution of racist bullying in primary schools.
The module is available on the INTO Learning site. The course will be available until April 2013, and can be used by whole school staffs who wish to work on the issue, or by individual teachers with an interest in the area.
For further details see www.intolearning.ie
School Equality Case – Hairstyles and Codes of Behaviour
A recent school case in the Equality Tribunal looked at the issue of equal treatment of boys and girls in relation to hairstyle. The case related to the action a second level school had taken in relation to a boy who breached the school’s Code of Behaviour by dyeing his hair red.
The Tribunal found that the school’s policy was outdated and discriminatory, and awarded the complainant a nominal sum. However, the Tribunal also ruled that the pupil was not entitled to breach the Code, and upheld the school’s actions in relation to its implementation.