Many companies throughout the UK understand that real business benefits can be gained by supporting equity in all aspects of their business operations. Here are just two:

Construction Services North East is a small civil engineering company based in Tyne and Wear. The company relies on a very close-knit team and understands the need to invest in its employees to contribute to a happier and more effective working environment. Managers were also aware of the need to meet requirements concerning equal opportunities in the workplace. They reviewed staff policies and procedures, and drew up an equal opportunities policy covering issues including recruitment, bullying, maternity rights and training needs.

The Results
Management now recognise the value of such a policy in recruitment. There is also evidence that this commitment is recognised as a positive development by all staff and is expected to impact favourably on staff retention. It also sends out a positive message to other businesses (potential partners) and helps the company with local government tenders. It helps to safeguard the company from implementing discriminatory practices.

Listawood is a family business with 180 employees manufacturing printed mouse mats and a wide range of other promotional products. It has been listed in the Independent on Sunday as one of the UK's fastest growing companies. The company offers a flexible, family-friendly working culture. Recruitment is based on aptitude and attitude, rather than qualifications. Excellent flexible working practices with no distinction in pay rates between full and part time workers has enabled the company to reach out to women employees.

The Results
Listawood has experienced rapid growth in a rural area and in an industry dominated by sector-specific qualifications and inflexible working practices. Two thirds of its staff are women. There are also seven women on the management team of 12, and 80% of the company's production team leaders and 66% of its 50 top earners are women.

• Only 4% of disabled people of working age require additional aids in the workplace. Source: CSR Europe
• Over two thirds of small businesses are in danger of being sued under the Disability Discrimination Act part III (DDA) because they are not planning to make any changes to ensure equal access to their goods or services for deaf and hard of hearing consumers. Source: RNID
• Women account for just 5 per cent of all directors of the FTSE 100 companies. Source: Industrial Society [now The Work Foundation]
• Female employees working full-time earn on average 18.8 per cent less than male full-time employees. Source: New Earnings Survey 2002, Office for National Statistics
• In 1998, 5.8 % of white people of working age were unemployed on average, but among people from ethnic minorities it was more than double that at 13%. Source: Commission for Racial Equality