Firms ‘must prepare for gender laws’

• Businesses being warned to prepare for higher number of complaints following introduction of gender discrimination laws
• Read the story of how one of Jersey’s oldest social clubs accepted its first female member in September
• Have you ever experienced gender discrimination in your workplace? Take part in our poll below

JERSEY businesses are being told to prepare themselves for a higher number of potential complaints when further discrimination laws are introduced later this year.

The first set of discrimination laws, which were introduced to the Island last September focused on protecting against racial prejudice.

More laws are planned to be introduced this September, which will expand to protect the characteristics of sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation and pregnancy/maternity.

Malcolm Ferey, chief executive of the Citizens Advice Bureau, said that they have already been in contact with many local organisations in preparation for the new laws.

• The option to conciliate/mediate remains open to the parties throughout the process until the conclusion of the Hearing.
• After the Hearing, the Tribunal will issue its Decision, giving Reasons for its Decision.
• If an Applicant is successful in their claim, the Tribunal will make an Award in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Law.
• The Tribunal’s decision may be appealed to the Royal Court on a point of law only.[/breakout]

‘The first tranche of laws were brought in on the grounds of race, which is an easier issue to understand so there have not been too many complaints,’ he said

‘It was designed to be the umbrella law and other characteristics, such as sex and gender, will follow in September this year.

‘The laws regarding these other characteristics might take a bit longer to be understood, so I think that when we get towards September there will be a lot more issues to deal with.’

Mr Ferey added that he had already been contacted by many organisations seeking clarification on the new laws.

‘A lot of people have called in who are associated with businesses, clubs and societies,’ he said.

‘They all want to make sure that they will be complying with the new legislation and we are trying to find answers for them.

‘When the new laws come in, people will start realising that they have protection and employers are making sure that they are ready for the law at work.

‘We are arranging meetings with many organisations to make sure they are prepared.’

Mr Ferey advised businesses to start preparing for the new legislation before the new laws come into effect.

He said that ‘it’s best to prepare your policies and procedures in advance’ rather than waiting for the laws to be introduced.

ONE of Jersey’s oldest social clubs accepted its first female member in September – nearly a century after it first opened its doors.

The Jersey United Services Club welcomed into its membership Dawn O’Malley to bring to an end their 91-year status as an all-male organisation.

Ms O’Malley’s entry to the club was approved after its members voted overwhelmingly in favour of opening membership to ex-service women at the club’s AGM in March.

She joins over 300 male members at the Rue de Funchal-based club, which is recognised as the oldest club in Britain for people who have served in the armed forces.

Her acceptance came on the same day that the JEP revealed that the sexual discrimination law could force single-sex clubs with more than 24 members to admit both men and women.

Ms O’Malley (67), who served 13 years in the Royal Army Corps, said she hoped her membership would encourage other all-male clubs in the Island to accept female members.

‘I am quite proud. It’s a big thing and you do not realise how much of a difference it will make,’ she said.

‘Future generations shouldn’t have discrimination and I hope that other clubs will follow on from this.’

Club president Peter Whittingham said that the club had been contemplating the decision for a number of years after more and more women showed interest in joining.

‘It’s massive for us. In the past it was said that there would never ever be women members, so it’s a big change,’ he said.