The Diversity management in employment project is a response to the failure to implement (or fully implement) existing law and equal opportunity measures on Slovenia's job market, which results in:
multiple forms of discrimination going unrecognized;
inability to combat discrimination and introduce preventive measures.
This phenomenon remains invisible, and statistics are lacking due to victims' remaining silent and employers' failing to recognize discrimination. Existing antidiscrimination legislation is useless if not implemented. The project aims to increase awareness and to train trade unions and employers on:
- the destructive impact of discrimination, whatever the type, in employment;
- efficient measures for recognizing and combating it;
- techniques to raise awareness inform and empower victims of discrimination.
The second major target group is the general public. Project activities include:
- the development of a handbook with guidelines for introducing diversity management and equal opportunities policy in employment for trade unions/employers;
- training employers and unions in implementing diversity management;
- awareness-raising campaign for general public.
Other goals are the development of a method for managing diversityin employment, to prevent and combat inequality and discrimination. In a wider sense, the project aims to raise the awareness of all stakeholders:
- trade unions
- employers
- workers
- jobseekers
- state employment offices
- employment agencies
- government equality bodies
- labour courts and labour inspectors
- general public
- private citizens
Diversity management in employment is a joint project, which includes nongovernmental association for human rights ŠKUC-LL, Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) and Association of Employers of Slovenia (ZDS) in order to encourage social partners to adapt and implement diversity management in there work frame.
Human diversity, which too often causes conflicts and generates inequality and discrimination, can on the other side become a powerful source of creative employment. A diverse workforce is one with different perspectives and different ideas. Public authorities and private companies serve and address people with a wide range of backgrounds. By reflecting diversity in their own workforce they are better equipped to understand their needs. Diversity makes a business sense. According to several EU surveys, it can be stressed that diversity can bring huge benefits in employment. Companies are increasingly recognizing that diversity is not just a moral argument or a question of meeting legal obligations. In a 2005 European Commission report, 83% of companies with a diversity policy in place said that it had brought real business benefits.
In Slovenia as elsewhere there is a considerable problem of ignorance and non- recognition of equal opportunities and diversity policies in employment. Discrimination in employment remains un-tackled, un-documented and statistically underrepresented. Proactive role of social partners in this context is therefore crucial. It is essential that both the employers and trade unions become aware that discrimination is destructive and dangerous; it is harmful for the health of workers, their social and economic security, it pollutes the working environment, lowers productivity rates and brings economic damage.
