Rise in workplace racism is unacceptable                                        

The Equal Employment Opportunities Trust is disappointed the majority of complaints about racism are coming from employees and those seeking work.

The chief executive of the EEO Trust says figures from the Human Rights Commission over the last five years show that discrimination and harassment on the grounds of race or colour occurs most commonly in the work place and is on the rise.

Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie says in 2010 there were 59 complaints of racial harassment and 44 of them stemmed from employment, and last year of the 71 complaints 44 came from the workplace.

“Racism surrounding employment comes in many different forms – some job seekers were not given work due to their ethnicity, others suffered racist comments and abuse at work while others were treated badly because of their accent.”

Mrs Cassidy-Mackenzie says it is not acceptable to advertise a job specifying that applicants must have English as their first language.

‘I hear of racist slurs such as a staff member being told to ‘go back home where you came from’.  This is ridiculous as New Zealand has an increasingly diverse population and Auckland, for example, has nearly 200 different ethnicities in its workforce.”

Mrs Cassidy-Mackenzie says companies need to make the most of people from different countries and cultures as there’s an ageing population and a looming skills shortage.

‘A lot of organisations ‘get it’ and employ the most suitably qualified person for the job but it looks like many others are failing.’

Mrs Cassidy Mackenzie says the EEO Trust can provide resources and training for all businesses to prevent bullying and discrimination, as well as cultural competency training.

Numbers of racial harassment complaints and the number of those related to employment.

For more information contact:

Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie, EEO Trust Chief Executive.  0274 397 458

Sally Wenley, EEO Trust Communications manager. 021 36 4447

About the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust

The EEO Trust assists employers in introducing and managing proven EEO thinking and practices, encourages diversity by promoting the recruitment and development of people on the basis of merit and generates awareness of the business benefits and rewards of an inclusive workplace. 

Show-off your workplace success

Be proud of your workplace  – enter the EEO Trust Work & Life Awards 2013.

Entries have opened for this year’s awards which showcase employers who assist employees to make the most of their time and talents, which have lead to a rise in profits and less staff turnover.

The EEO Trust urges any organisation to put in an entry as it will increase your profile and show that your workplace is keeping up with employee expectations and needs.

Forward thinking flexible work programmes,  anti bullying initiatives, literacy and numeracy training and recruiting a diverse range of staff are among the success stories that have been celebrated in the Award’s 15 year history.

“We all want our companies to be successful, and people are the key to that success,” says EEO Trust chief executive, Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie. 

“It’s clear that if people are encouraged to make the most of their abilities and balance their responsibilities at work and at home, they’ll be committed, and employers will get more of that magic workplace ingredient – extra productivity.” 

Mrs Cassidy-Mackenzie says organisations big and small all over New Zealand can focus on developing every employee’s career and skills which leads to a more harmonious and productive team.  “We’d love to see you share your stories by entering the Awards.”

There are five categories in the EEO Trust Work & Life Awards, with a Supreme Winner chosen from the winners of each category.  

Entries for the EEO Trust Work & Life Awards 2013 close on Friday May 17th, with the Awards gala dinner taking place in Auckland on August 29th. Any organisation from any sector can enter, whether they are members of the EEO Trust, or not.

For entry criteria email events@eeotrust.org.nz or give us a call on (09) 525 3023.

Find out more at www.eeotrust.org.nz, and see the stories of past entrants at www.youtube.com/eeotrust