| Pendulum Continues....... |
In a flight between South Africa and London, A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess. "Madam, what is the matter," the hostess asked. "You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."
"Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this flight is taken. I will go to see if another place is available."
The Hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later. "Madam, Just as I thought, there are no other available seats in the economy class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is a seat in the business class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class."
Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued: "It is not usual for our company to permit someone from the economy class to sit in the first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."
She turned to the black guy, and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in first class."At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded
This is a true story. Scene took place in a British Airways flight between Johannesburg and London
On the other hand.....
The appointment of Sir Alan Sugar as the new 'enterprise tsar' gives grave cause for concern. Sugar has made outspoken comments which have set the women's rights agenda back.
He claims that maternity laws give women 'too much' entitlement and wants to break with equality practice by asking women whether they are planning to get married and have children at interview.
Finding ways of effectively supporting women's enterprise should be a key part of the UK's exit from recession and there are questions as to whether Sugar is the man to do that. - Source: Fawcett Society
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| Race for Opportunity |
Top 5 public and private sector organisations for race diversity:
1. BT
2. Pearson
3. Ministry of Defence
4. Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
5. Home Office
Top public sector organisations for race diversity:
1. Ministry of Defence
2. Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
3. Home Office
4. West Midlands Police
5. The British Army
The benchmark index surveyed 79 organisations, representing 1.5m employees and equivalent to 4% of the UK's working-age population.
Despite the recession, the organisations benchmarking on race are making significant progress, particularly with engaging current and potential ethnic minority employees. The report reveals that over 90% of those benchmarked are monitoring the ethnicity of their workforce and applicants; communicating race policies to recruitment agencies and suppliers; and demonstrating a commitment to engaging with ethnic minority stakeholders, including customers, clients and the local community.
"However, even amongst this elite group of employers, ethnic minorities remain worryingly far behind. Only 4.3 percent of Board-level employees are from an ethnic minority, compared to 8.5 percent in the total workforce. Without very targeted action to speed up the progression of ethnic minorities in employment - programmes designed to get ethnic minorities into senior positions for example -, the inequality that exists within organisations will persist." Sandra Kerr, National Campaign Director - Race for Opportunity
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| Interesting Case Law - Image conscious |
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A disabled law student is suing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch for discrimination, claiming it made her work in a stockroom because her prosthetic arm didn't fit its public image. Riam Dean, 22, was just days into a part-time job at the U.S. firm's flagship London store when she says she was asked to leave the shop floor.
She was born with her left forearm missing and has worn a prosthetic limb since she was three months old but insists she has never allowed her disability to get in her way.
Miss Dean went along to an induction day where she was issued a 45-page handbook listing in minute detail the company's strict Look Policy. She was also given a uniform of jeans and a polo shirt, although the company handbook does state that sales associates can wear their own clothing as long as it is in 'Abercrombie style'.
Miss Dean, who normally wears long-sleeved tops to disguise the join between her upper arm and artificial limb, says she was told to buy a plain white cardigan to wear over her uniform.
'A worker from what they call the "visual team", people who are employed to go round making sure the shop and its staff look up to scratch, came up to me and demanded I take the cardigan off. 'I told her, yet again, that I had been given special permission to wear it,' she recalled. 'A few minutes later my manager came over to me and said: "I can't have you on the shop floor as you are breaking the Look Policy. Go to the stockroom immediately and I'll get someone to replace you."
'I pride myself on being quite a confident girl but I had never experienced prejudice like that before and it made me feel utterly worthless.
Miss Dean, who has just sat her final law exams, is due to take her case to the Central London Employment Tribunal later this month and is seeking damages of £25,000.
Four years ago, Abercrombie settled the £25million lawsuit, in which nine former employees accused the firm of discrimination. The litigants, all from ethnic minority groups, said they were forced to work in stockrooms or take night shifts because they did not fit the 'Abercrombie look'.
A spokesman for Abercrombie & Fitch said: 'A&F has a strong anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy and is committed to providing a supportive and dignified environment for all of its employees.'
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Diversity Dilemmas - Colleague a member of BNP? |
I work as a manager for a large reputable charity which prides itself on its high standards on promoting equality into practice. Our work involves providing support and guidance to children and families. There is some statutory responsibility.
On a social visit to a pub, I became aware of an informal BNP meeting taking place and noticed that my colleague Peter* was actively involved in this meeting.
Peter and I have worked together at the same charity for a number of years and I consider him to be a good role model as a senior manager. He is well respected.
However, this year, on two occasions, I would go into his office unannounced and he would cover papers rather quickly. I presumed at the time that he was working on confidential child care cases. I am now wondering whether he was hiding some BNP literature.
I really dont know what to do - to challenge Peter directly of his (possible) involvement with the BNP or to discuss this further with my Director - also Peter's manager. Having considered Peter as a good example, he always took proactive measures on Equality matters, I am concerned, had I been wrong about him all these years?
* Names have been changed
The British National Party (BNP) is a far-right and whites-only political party in the United Kingdom, According to its constitution, the BNP is "committed to stemming and reversing the tide of non-white immigration and to restoring, by legal changes, negotiation and consent the overwhelmingly white makeup of the British population that existed in Britain prior to 1948. The BNP proposes "firm but voluntary incentives for immigrants and their descendants to return home. The party also advocates the repeal of all anti-discrimination legislation.
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| About Blue Tulip Training |
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Bullying & Harassment
Blue Tulip Training, on behalf of organisations conducts independent impartial investigations into allegations of bullying and harassment . The investigations have been completed within a realistic time frame.
The organisations concerned have valued this, as there are significant benefits, costs have been reduced and complaints are resolved more effectively.
Coaching Across Differences -
Blue Tulip Training provides one to one (and group) coaching and mentoring for Black and Asian staff members who wish to explore professional and personal development.
Blue Tulip Training supports managers in establishing boundaries in managing a team effectively, especially if there are concerns around issues of cultural differences, which could have the potential to lead into discrimination and bad practice within a team setting.
Interpersonal Skills
Blue Tulip Training provides training and coaching for individuals and /or teams to help develop communication skills, resulting in increased personal confidence and more effective team relationships. Training and coaching sessions can incorporate:
- developing assertiveness skills
- how to communicate effectively
- presenting to groups with confidence
- personal effectiveness
- conflict resolution
Equality and Diversity
Blue Tulip Training have supported a number of organisations in implementing equality and diversity into practice. The process has been conducted through:
Consultancy work, e.g., Diversity audits or input to organisations who wish to develop their strategic long-term view on the concept of diversity.
Training programmes: Managing Diversity, Equality and Diversity, Equality Impact Assessments Equality Monitoring
Cultural Diversity
The training and consultancy support focuses on supporting organisations and the individuals within them, in "bridging the gap"; creating a better understanding of cultural differences, specifically in relation to language, behaviour and attitudes. All Blue Tulip training programmes are customised to meet the specific requirements of an organisation. An initial consultation explores areas of concern (with specific case scenarios) and draws out examples of good practice.
Talent Management Blue Tulip has specific external training talent management programmes to promote both personal and professional development As an organisation, sponsoring women and staff from a BME background on talent management courses helps your organisation demonstrate compliance with statutory responsibilities within the legal framework, Overall, the talent management process aims to enable everyone to maximise their full potential www.bluetuliptraining.co.uk
sneha@bluetuliptraining.co.uk
Tel: 01923 467885 |
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Our sponsors |
Blue Tulip Training is affiliated with Asian Women Enterprise - A networking solution, bringing Asian Women together to share, inspire and motivate
www.asianwomenenterprise.com
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| Events for August
Wednesday 5 August |
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Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
The word Raksha means protection, whilst Bandhan is the verb to tie. Traditionally, during the festival sisters tie a rakhi, a bracelet made of interwoven red and gold threads, around their brothers' wrists to celebrate their relationship and to protect their brothers against evil.
Lailat-ul-Bara'h - Night of forgiveness (Muslim)
This is when Muslims seek forgiveness for their sins.
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| Thursday 6 August |
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Transfiguration (Christian)
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Orthodox Christian feast commemorating the sudden emanation of radiance from the person of Jesus that occurred on the mountain.
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Friday 14 August |
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Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti (Hindu) |
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The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon. Krishna is perceived by most Hindus to be an avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu, who is regarded as the highest avatar. Krishna is considered to be a warrior, hero, teacher and philosopher by Hindus.
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| Sunday 16 August |
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| Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christian)
A largely Roman Catholic festival celebrating their belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven.
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| Monday 17 August |
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Paryushana (Jain)
The holiest amd most important time of the year - celebrated for eight days and is marked by fasting (and repentance) A time for reflection and worship of the 24 realised teachers of the Jain faith known as Tirthakaras or Jinas.
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| Saturday 22 August |
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| Ramadan - begins (Muslim)
This takes place during the 9th month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar and is the holiest of the 4 holy months. Muslims abstain from all food and drink between dawn and sunset, and from any traits of bad character. Ramadan was the month in which the first verses of the holy Qur'an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The reason why Muslims fast during this time is about seeking proximity to God, so that it brings people close to their natural state and purifies thoughts and actions.
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Sunday 23 August |
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Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
On this day Hindus all over the world will celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh (Ganesh Chaturthi). Ganesh is depicted with an elephant's head on a human body and in the Hindu tradition he is the son of Lord Siva and the Goddess Parvati. He is known as the Remover of Obstacles and is prayed to particularly when people are beginning a new enterprise or starting a new business. Ganesh is also known as the patron god of travelling.
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| Last Weekend in August - Notting Hill Carnival |
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A street carnival with floats, bands and stalls. It began in 1964 with the focus of deterring racism towards Caribbean and other Black immigrants with the hope of bringing together the people of the Notting Hill area. |
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