Equality and Diversity in Local Government Jobs

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In the 1970s if you differed from convention in any way, you would expect a very hard time indeed in the workplace. Pregnant women were routinely sacked as soon as their condition began to show; married women were either not employed at all or demoted after having children, and single parents and gay and lesbian staff were persecuted.

Now, in many places attitudes have changed but progress has been negligible. But in most local authorities you can expect to find women and people from minority ethnic communities in positions of authority, and issues such as parenting status or sexual orientation have long ceased to be an issue at all. There is a seriousness and a commitment to the equalities agenda that is difficult to find in the private sector, and a sense that staff are judged purely on their merits.

Local authorities acquired special responsibility under equal opportunities law to ensure they set a positive example in their employment practices. 25 years later, they now have a new duty to ensure equality in all aspects of service delivery.