Stereotypical attitudes survive in civil service

Three reports published on the same day in March have highlighted the barriers to career progression facing black, disabled and LGBT civil servants.

The PCS civil service union said the surveys and interviews compiled by Ethnic Dimensions, Disability Rights UK and Summerskill Associates reveal the troublingly non-diverse face of the top ranks of the civil service.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “These reports should make sobering reading for ministers and senior officials because they show just how little the civil service has progressed.

“As well as highlighting the adverse impact of the almost universally despised performance management system, they reveal barriers to promotion and stereotypical attitudes remain, and that black, disabled and LGBT workers still find their career paths only go so far.”

PCS said it was disappointed not to have been involved in developing the latest version of the Cabinet Office’s “talent action plan” for the civil service because this would have been an opportunity to tackle some of these significant problems.

www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/pcs_comment_archive.cfm/reports-into-civil-service-show-shocking-levels-of-discrimination