EQUALITY and diversity are key issues in today’s workplace, says employment relations advisers Acas, as Office of National Statistics figures show that in just over seven years only a fifth of the British workforce will be white, able-bodied men under 45.

The group says employers and employees must recognise relevant issues such as sexual orientation and religious beliefs and address them.

Stephen Williams, head of the equality and diversity unit at Acas, said: ‘It must be an intolerable situation to know you are working in an environment where you feel your contributions are not valued. Employers are not trained to be aware of the types of issues that can make people feel under-valued and ineffective.’

Acas is offering a free equality and diversity online learning tool that shows how issues can be identified and addressed.

For more information, visit www.acas.org.uk/elearning.

Acas also offers a free consultation as part of the government’s drive to promote good practice under the Employment Equality Regulations 2003.