Discrimination-free job evaluation

The European Union directives, practice of the European Court of Justice and national laws have laid down standards so that the notion of equality is not an abstract idea but a practical concept.

At present the House of Representatives Committee is studying the Industrial Relations Bill. The discussion of clause 27 that deals with equality at work is reflecting a lack of understanding by members on both sides of the House of the concept of equality at work.

The implications of this principle should be given careful consideration to ensure equality in realistic terms. The equality concept should include some of the following practices:

· development of a job evaluation system;

· transparency of job evaluations, job descriptions and job profiles;

· identification of elements of discrimination that may exist;

· the same evaluation standards to be applied for all employees (of the same employer);

· providing the staff with information on the introduction of a job evaluation system; and

· the law should ensure that an equality policy with the above basic objectives is introduced both in the public and private sectors.

NCW is most concerned with the committee chairman's justification of employers asking prospective recruits what they intend to do when they get married. If this is not blatant discrimination, what is!

As regards Clause 26 on sexual harassment, the law should bind employers to introduce a policy on sexual harassment as a measure to ensure effective implementation.

For more information see Website: www.equal-pay.de.