Increase in gender inequality queries
ABOUT 10% of queries received by the new Employment and Equal Opportunities Service so far this year have related to gender inequality.
The service wanted to use International Women’s Day to promote the importance of gender equality.
EEOS officially opened in October 2023 following the introduction of the new anti-discrimination legislation, taking over from the Employment Relations Service.
It provides free and impartial advice on matters relating to discrimination.
‘Unfortunately, even though its nearly 20 years since Guernsey’s sex discrimination legislation came into force, we still see queries and complaints come in about potential discrimination and inequality,’ said EEOS director Stephen Glencross.
‘These can range from questions about pay inequality to pregnancy-related discrimination and harassment.’
He said that the service received between 25 to 30 enquiries every week and in 2024 issues concerning gender inequality made up of around 10% of all enquiries.
‘In the previous year it was 4.5%, so if the 2024 trend continues there will be a marked increase. Nearly all of those enquiries are from women.’
He said that women made up more than 60% of all enquiries made to EEOS.
‘We want to help individuals and businesses resolve issues through conversation and mediation as early as possible, but where appropriate we can also take enforcement action to prevent discrimination happening in the future.’
Mr Glencross said the service was keen to get behind events such as International Women’s Day to let the community know it was there to support them.
EEOS operates independently from the States of Guernsey to give advice. Services are impartial.
As well as matters relating to discrimination, EEOS helps with issues relating to employing staff, employment law, and other disputes within the workplace.
‘All enquiries have a degree of complexity and are rarely straightforward,’ Mr Glencross said.
‘We have seen a 12.5% increase in comparison to last year. The most significant themes are contractual matters such as pay or maternity, and then discrimination and unfair dismissal.
‘But we are seeing a shift to discrimination issues with these cases up by 20%.’
He said that since the new anti-discrimination legislation was introduced in October the office had seen more enquiries from employees from overseas regarding unequal contract terms.
‘We are now proactively engaging with community groups and have recently delivered a presentation to the Kenyan community and have one planned for the Latvian community. We would encourage other representatives of groups to contact us regarding training and information sessions.’
Further details on the service can be found at www.eeos.gg or by calling 220026.
