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NewsGovt 'committed to increasing female representation in finance industry'
Govt 'committed to increasing female representation in finance industry'
Posted by Mark Cunningham
The government is committed to making sure that more women have senior roles within the finance industry, it has been claimed.
In a written answer during a parliamentary session, minister of state for the ministry of justice Maria Eagle said the Labour administration is aiming to tackle sex discrimination.
She added that the Government Equalities Office (GEO) is to partner with business organisations, trade bodies and recruitment firms in a bid to encourage enterprises to commit to their own internal targets to increase diversity.
Created in October 2007, the GEO is responsible for equalities legislation and policy in the UK.
Commenting on the initiative to enhance gender diversity in financial service firms, Chris Richards, policy advisor to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), said: "The REC Accounting and Financial Services Group will work with the GEO and other business bodies to ensure that future actions and targets are suitable and achievable."
Julie Morris, employment lawyer at Russell Jones & Walker, commented: "It has long been recognised that there is a real lack of women in senior roles within the finance industry.
"The recent Equality and Human Rights Commission investigation into the financial services sector and the Treasury Select Committee both investigated the causes behind that fact and it may be that this initiative has come about as a result of those investigations.
"The proof of the government's commitment, however, will be in the teeth given to implement it.
"Vague commitments to diversity and equality are unlikely to result in real change - the recent publicity about bankers' bonuses has proven that banks and other financial services companies may take more than 'encouragement' to change their employment practices."
11/01/2010 15:40
News category: Employment