The Employers Forum on Age has said the Government is at risk of alienating bosses in its ‘rush’ to create a new equality commission.

The proposals for the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) were outlined in May. The new organisation would effectively merge existing bodies – the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, and the Disability Rights Commission – into one.

The group would promote human rights and take charge of new laws outlawing workplace discrimination on religion or belief, sexual orientation or age, and ministers have said it will make Britain fairer and more inclusive.

Whilst the EFA agrees to the idea in principle, they feel the group could be ‘unbalanced’ in favour of pressure groups who want to increase legislative burden on business. The EFA are requesting more time to put together a pragmatic series of measures.

Sam Mercer, director of the EFA, said: “Giving employers so little chance to make their voices heard is a bad deal for employers and working people alike.”

The Government would do well to lend the EFA their ear. The group has 160 members, employing more than 3 million people (14% of the workforce) in the UK. Members include Barclays, Centrica, GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC, Nationwide, RBS Group and Sainsbury’s.

“The Government runs the risk of both alienating employers and hearing only from pressure groups who are intent on increasing legislation,” commented Mercer.

The measures the EFA are proposing include:

• A key role for business in the management and priority setting of the CEHR.


• Help for employers now in implementing the new discrimination regulations.


• A focus on the practical delivery of advice and support to employers and individuals on existing legislation, rather than a headlong rush to introduce new laws.