CRE revises its employment code of practice

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has issued a revised code of practice on achieving racial equality in employment.

The code offers recommendations and guidance on avoiding racial discrimination and harassment, and outlines employers' obligations under the Race Relations Act (RRA).

The CRE says the revised code reflects the law as it stands today "and benefits from the considerable body of discrimination case law that has been developed since the RRA came into effect in 1977."

The code applies to all employers in England, Scotland and Wales. It does not have the force of law, but a failure to follow the code may count against an employer if it has to defend itself against a race discrimination claim at an employment tribunal. And the tribunal must take the code into account, if it is relevant.

The code can be downloaded from www.cre.gov.uk/gdpract/ employmentcode2005.html