Race discrimination in the construction industry

Although more detailed recommendations for the industry are unlikely to be published before January 2010, employers should be looking to champion diversity. This will not only deter individuals from bringing discrimination claims but will put businesses in a much stronger position to firstly attract the best candidates and secondly when tendering for procurement work.

Taking into consideration the Equality and Human Rights Commission's report, employers should as a starting point:

• develop more open procedures in recruitment, eliminating advertising through word of mouth  and other indirectly discriminatory practices;
• ensure appropriate policies on equal opportunities and bullying, harassment and offensive behaviour are in place and reviewed regularly;
• step up or introduce diversity monitoring and training of the workforce, including tailored induction programmes; and
• improve the image of the industry through raising awareness in schools and communities and ensuring good quality careers advice is available.