Accel calls on 90% of firms with no equality training policies to act during European Year of Equal Opportunities!

Bringing the Balance to Gender Equality ahead of Work Life Balance Day, March 1st

Tuesday 27 February 2007, Dublin; Accel today marked European Year of Equal Opportunities 2007 by calling on Irish firms to address the ongoing issue of gender and equality in the workplace at its half day seminar, “Training! Get the Balance, Get the results” in the Great Southern Hotel, Dublin.

‘Firms need to realise that gender and equality training is vital to improving the work environment and to striking the correct work life balance which will help boost productivity and ultimately benefit their bottom-line’ explained Alan Nuzum, Acting Chief Executive, Skillnets.

Only 10% of businesses have availed of training in equality opportunities policies according to a National Development Plan (NDP) survey, on ‘Women and Men in Ireland as Entrepreneurs and Business Managers’ (2003). Through direct experience with a wide range of companies, Accel realised the lack of equality and diversity policies and the reluctance of Irish companies to introduce training in this area.

‘There is still an imbalance in this country particularly when you note the 39% unequal distribution of women to men across all sectors and the fact that only 30% of the manual workforce is female. The integration of Equality training into the overall training programme will not only explain to staff fundamental policies but is also aimed at up skilling female, non-national and minority workers in areas which up to now haven’t been made available to them’ according to NDP (2004).

Those companies which have integrated equality and diversity training have experienced the benefits at first hand, Pat Normanly of Dublin Bus speaking at today’s seminar explained that training must happen at all levels in the workplace from senior management right down to the shop floor.

Professor Ciaran O’Boyle from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland also presenting today spoke about the importance of keeping Work Life Balance in our everyday life resulting in daily achievement and enjoyment of working individuals. He added that training and personal development are key to generate a positive change in today’s organisations and achieve self-realisation of individuals.

A Panel discussion was held regarding the impact of such issues on industry. The Panel of Experts included Professor Ciaran O’Boyle, Pat Normanly, Kathleen Connelly, Dept. of Justice Equality & Law Reform and Noreen Fitzpatrick, Programme Advisor for Accel.

To view Professor Ciaran O'Boyle presentation, please click here

To view Dublin Bus presentation, please click here

To view Fact sheet on WLB issues, please click here