Contact:
  • Equalities
  • Address:

    Keynsham Town Hall, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1NL

  • E-mail:
    Equality@bathnes.gov.uk
  • Telephone:
    01225 396267
  • Fax:
    01225 477890
  • Minicom:
    01225 396155
  • Page Updated:
    24/01/2008
  • Author:
    Louise Murphy
A to Z Index

 Worker Challenge Groups

The Council supports three groups for staff. 

These groups are

Black & Minority Ethnic Workers Group

Membership is open to all Black & Minority Ethnic staff.

Disabled Workers Group

Membership is open to all Disabled staff.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Workers Group

Membership is open to all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender staff. 

For information about the group you can contact the Chair and Vice Chair direct by emailing Lgbt@bathnes.gov.uk

Role and purpose of Workers Challenge Groups

Worker Challenge Groups are an important part of the Council’s commitment to equality and diversity

The Council believes that it is only by engaging with and supporting our staff that we will be able to progress its work in ensuring equality for all. In order to do this the Council encourages staff to participate and provides a budget to support the groups work. Attendance expenses are reimbursed and all staff are able to attend meetings during working hours.

Worker Challenge Groups:

  • Help improve working life
  • Identify common workplace issues for the Council to address
  • Provide a forum to share ideas and best practice
  • Provide information about opportunities for personal development

The Chair of each Worker Challenge Group is a member of the Corporate Equality Group. The ideas and concerns of the groups will be fed into the Council to help direct positive change.  Each group has a Director that supports, represents and sponsors the group.

Worker Challenge Groups are not just a series of meetings – the groups will maintain a constant dialogue with the Council to monitor, identify and address issues.


Black and Minority Ethnic Workers Group

This group assists the organisation in dealing with workplace issues such as fairness, discrimination, career progression and development.  Working in partnership with colleagues and senior management this group proactively assists the Council to understand, develop and create an equitable workplace.  This group promotes the message of zero tolerance towards all forms of racism and is a force for change.

Statement from the group sponsor, Ashley Ayre, Strategic Director, Children's Services:

"I am pleased to sponsor the Black and Minority Ethnic Workers' Group.  As a public service we have a critical role in promoting race equality and respect for cultural diversity.  If we are to meet this leadership challenge for our community we must model excellence in race equality both as an employer and service provider.  Therefore the work of this group is hugely important in providing challenge, identifying and disseminating good practice and ensuring that we meet our aspirations".  

 Disabled Workers Group

The group promotes fair performance review, development, recruitment and promotion opportunities for disabled staff as well as physical access to workplace facilities. The group has a key role in developing an equitable reasonable adjustments process, and advises the council about the issues of disabled employees. 

Membership is open to all staff who perceive themselves to be disabled. All members are invited to bring a personal assistant / advocate if appropriate.

Statement from the Group Sponsor, Peter Rowntree, Strategic Director, Customer Services:

“I’m delighted to sponsor the Disabled Workers Group. The Council is committed to removing all barriers which prevent equal access. The Disabled Workers Group gives us the opportunity to engage in dialogue with employees which will help us to remove barriers in the workplace”.

 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered (LGBT) Workers Group

This group has an important contribution to make in continuing to build a positive workplace culture and informing the development of the Council’s policies and practice regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender issues, supporting staff and actively challenging discrimination. 

This group has an important contribution to make in continuing to build a positive workplace culture and informing the development of the Council’s policies and practice regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender issues, supporting staff and actively challenging discrimination. 

Statement from the group sponsor, Jane Ashman, Strategic Director, Adult Social Services and Housing:

“I’m very happy to sponsor the LGBT Workers Group. To create a truly diverse and equal organisation we need to address sexual orientation issues in the workplace and talk directly with LGBT staff.  The Workers Group plays a vital role in helping us to identify issues and create a positive workplace culture across the whole of the Council”.

 

More Information?

To find out more about any of the workers groups, contact the Equalities Team.  Any personal information will be held in confidence.

Tel: 01225 396267
Fax: 01225 477890
Mincom/textphone: 01225 396155
e:    equality@bathnes.gov.uk
web: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/workergroups

For information about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Workers Group you can contact the Chair and Vice Chair direct by emailing Lgbt@bathnes.gov.uk