Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Bias ‘not the only reason’ for workplace inequality, says expert

Bias ‘not the only reason’ for workplace inequality, says expert

RACIAL disparities in British society are real, but discrimination is often not the reason for these inequalities, a government race adviser has said.

Dr Tony Sewell, head of the government’s commission on race and ethnic disparities, said there were “deeper factors” at play instead, such as a person’s educational background and family history.


His comments echo analysis from the race commission’s report earlier this year. It concluded that varied experiences of family life and structure could explain many disparities in education outcomes and crime.

The report, authored by Sewell, also stated that the system in the UK was not “deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities” and institutional racism did not exist.

Speaking at a Westminster Employment Forum policy conference on ethnic minority equality in the workplace last Friday (25), Sewell added that inequalities could often be explained by “a lack of confidence”.

He referred to his work with his charity Generating Genius, which works to ensure that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are positioned to excel in careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

As part of the course, pupils are taken to top universities across the country and given an opportunity to mix with other students. Sewell recalled an instance when some boys from the programme declined to present their work and relied on  others in the group, who came from wealthier backgrounds, to do so instead.

“I asked why (the boys) did not want to present. The students replied, ‘the other group were so confident they just decided they would take charge,’” Sewell said. “It was a lesson that I think applies to the workplace too.”

Sewell said students are taught to pass exams, but “we don’t inculcate that sense of entitlement”. “This was not just about race,” he explained. “This was really about, in some ways, their class.”

On what workplaces could do to improve their inclusion practices, Sewell urged companies to analyse their own data before proceeding with diversity and equality workshops. By looking at people analytics, companies could see what problems they need to fix, he said.

“Google were one of the first to employ people to understand the gender gap and they found women were twice as likely to quit as the average Google employee,” he said. “The data showed a parent gap, rather than the gender gap, and it turned out young mothers were twice as likely to quit.

“The head of the department introduced a new maternity and paternity plan, and the impact was immediate. New mothers at Google were no more likely to leave than the average employee.”

Dr Vivienne Lyfar-Cissé, the chair of the NHS BME Network, spoke of institutional racism within the health service during the event. She argued the NHS has been “in denial about the problem for decades”, citing research showing how ethnic minority communities had received unequal treatment and experienced significantly worse health outcomes.

Talking about employment equality in the NHS, Lyfar-Cissé criticised the service for discriminating against BAME staff. She noted 2019 analysis which found white applicants who were shortlisted for an NHS job in England in 2017-18 were 1.45 times as likely to be appointed, compared with applicants from other ethnic groups.

“How can the NHS possibly deliver its ambition to reduce health inequalities across ethnic minority communities if the organisation itself fails to deliver equality internally for the people it employs,” she asked.

Sewell also reflected upon racism in the service. He recalled hearing of a white patient who refused to see a female BAME trainee doctor. Although she spoke to her senior, no action was taken against the patient, who was eventually treated by a white doctor.

Last week, Eastern Eye spoke to several Asian medical staff who had had similar experiences. “Imagine how the young doctor felt after that experience” Sewell said. “(It) is a rare occurrence in the NHS in terms of patient interaction, but it is a reality of racism in the workplace that people face, and it is a reality that we’ve got to deal with. We have to deal with it better than the way in which (the female doctor) was dealt with.”

Other speakers at the event included Wilf Sullivan, race equality officer, Trades Union Congress (TUC); Cynthia Davis, chief executive officer and founder, BAME Recruitment; Naeema Choudry, partner, Eversheds Sutherland; and Roger McKenzie, assistant general secretary, Unison.

More For You

Jonathan-Reynolds-Getty

Jonathan Reynolds highlighted that the UK-India trading relationship was valued at GBP 41 billion for the year ending September 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

Trade secretary to visit India in February for FTA talks

BUSINESS and trade secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, on Monday (27) revealed plans to visit India next month with a focus on finalising the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations as the UK government aims to enhance bilateral ties.

The visit comes after prime minister Sir Keir Starmer last year announced an early 2025 relaunch of UK-India FTA talks, following his meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil in November.

Keep ReadingShow less
ola-reuters

Ola stated it has clarified the matter with the CCPA and is working to address any misunderstandings. (Photo: Reuters)

After Uber, Ola also refutes claims of charging Apple users more than Android users

INDIAN ride-hailing company Ola has denied claims that it charges users differently based on their phone models. The statement comes a day after its competitor Uber also dismissed similar allegations.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), acting on directives from consumer affairs minister Pralhad Joshi, had issued notices to Ola and Uber following media reports and complaints.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rachel Reeves

Reeves also gave her clearest signal yet of support for expanding London’s Heathrow airport. (Photo: Getty Images)

Reeves signals focus on lower taxes, less regulation

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves stated that the country’s finances were now stable following her October budget, adding that her future focus would be on reducing taxes and cutting regulation.

“Now we have wiped the slate clean,” Reeves said, referring to the October budget.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rachel Reeves

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has pledged fiscal discipline, faces increasing pressure to address the growing deficit. (Photo: Getty Images)

Government borrowing in December hits four-year high

Government borrowing in December 2024 reached £17.8 billion, the highest level for the month in four years, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This figure is £10.1bn more than in December 2023 and significantly exceeds the £14.6bn forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-rich-getty

Two men speak together as they cross over a footbridge in London's central business district of Canary Wharf. (Photo: Getty Images)

One millionaire leaves UK every 45 minutes, study finds

A RECORD number of millionaires have left the country since Labour took office, with concerns mounting over the party’s tax policies.

A study by New World Wealth and Henley & Partners revealed that Britain lost a net 10,800 millionaires in 2024, marking a 157 per cent rise from the previous year.

Keep ReadingShow less