Workplace Equality

In this era of globalization, new forms of diversity co-exist with longstanding patterns of systemic discrimination in employment on the basis of gender, race, religion, ethnicity or culture, disability, aboriginal status or immigrant status. Several countries have responded to discrimination by implementing affirmative action or employment equity policies. These proactive approaches seek to end and prevent discriminatory employment practices and to work toward a workplace that is representative of the diversity of the labour market.

Workplace Equality provides theoretical perspectives on systemic discrimination in employment and an overview of policy and institutional responses in eight countries, focusing on affirmative action and employment equity policies. Chapters contributed by leading experts from each country examine workplace equality policies in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, South Africa and the United States. Legislation, policy development, implementation and effectiveness are situated within the changing political context of each country, and legal as well as social issues and debates are examined.

As a unique international comparative survey and assessment of affirmative action and employment equity policies, Workplace Equality is a sourcebook for researchers, practitioners and students in the fields of public policy, employment law, sociology, industrial relations and human rights.

"The book...is a very valuable tool for those who want to find out about the nature and extent of discrimination in the workplace internationally. ...reading through this book will hopefully encourage academics, members of advocacy groups and policy makers...to think further about the very important issue of workplace equality."
(Eanni Koszeg, law firm Allen & Overy, London, UK)

Inhalt

1. Systemic Discrimination in Employment: Mapping the Issue and the Policy Responses.- 2. Employment Equity in Selected Countries: The Case of Racial and Ethnic Minorities.- 3. Unfinished Business: Employment Equality in Australia.- 4. Canada's Employment Equity Legislation and Policy, 1986 2000: Unfulfilled Promises.- 5. Employment Equity Legislation in Ontario: A Case Study in the Politics of Backlash.- 6. Repeal of the Ontario Employment Equity Laws: Denial of Equal Protection of the Law.- 7. Gender Equality in India.- 8. Between Public Controversy and Market Initiative: The Politics of Employment Equity and Diversity in the Netherlands.- 9. Multiculturalism with a Price Tag: On the Theory and Practice of Intercultural Management in the Netherlands.- 10. Northern Ireland - Gender, Race and the New Equality Agenda.- 11. Employment Equity in South Africa: Overcoming the Apartheid Legacy.- 12. Affirmative Action in American Employment Law: Past, Present and Future.- 13. Pay and Employment Equity: The Role of Markets, CoJlective Bargaining and Legislation.