29-01-2008
More awareness needed on recruitment legislation
News by Adfero for Simply Business - independent providers of public liability insurance, business finance, landlord insurance, buy-to-let mortgages & commercial mortgages.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has highlighted the importance of small businesses being actively aware of discrimination legislation during the recruitment process.
Victoria Winkler, an advisor with the CIPD, an organisation with a membership base of 127,000, believes that employers should be aware of the legislation and know what they can and cannot ask during the recruitment process.
"Aside from the fact that you don't want to get caught out breaking any of the legislation, in terms of recruiting and getting access to the most diverse people within the workforce … then it really is important that they're familiar with the legislation," said Ms Winkler.
Under the terms of the new legislation, previously acceptable questions, such as those on age, religious beliefs and lengths of experience are no longer valid during the recruitment process.
Consumer organisation Which? has highlighted a number of other questions which can no longer be asked, which include those relating to trade union membership, sexual orientation and marital status.