Commission helps build business case for implementing diversity policies 

The Commission has published a report (on 12 November) on "The Costs and Benefits of Diversity". The report finds that despite the short and medium term benefits of diversity policies in the workplace, the business case for investment in workforce diversity is "embryonic and fragmented".

The report has identified two major obstacles that limit companies' investment in diversity: difficulties in changing business cultures and a lack of awareness of workforce diversity policies. There are also 'external obstacles', says the report, such as legal restrictions on holding and processing sensitive information on individuals and social groups in areas such as ethnic origin, religion and sexual orientation.

'Diversity policies' are voluntary business initiatives to encourage the recruitment and development of employees of a mix of races, sexual orientations, religions, physical disabilities, ages and sexes.

There are two EU directives on non-discrimination (on racial and ethnic equality and equality in the workplace) - both adopted in 2000. Neither of the directives has been fully transposed into national law.