There are many people who think companies have gone too far in pandering to Diversity by having different websites, groups etc for race, sexuality, gender, disability, age and religion.

This organisation is like every other and reflects the views of the community outside. That means there are people who work for the DWP who are racist, homophobic, and sexist and have prejudices against people because or their disability, age or gender. There are people who think they are not any of these things but due to lack of awareness end up saying things and doing things that are discriminating against minority groups.

The six diversity groups should not just cover some people in the organisation but all of them.

Sexuality group is called this because it includes everybody. Everybody has sexuality whether they are gay, heterosexual, transgendered or bi sexual. While the group focuses on gay, bi sexual and transgendered issues, this is only because there has been no protection under law for this section of society until now. With the Sexual Orientation law that came out 1st December 2003 came a whole lot of rules and regulations that the business had to adhere to and make changes so that the company was not breaking the law. The group still looks into the rights of heterosexual unmarried people and single parents but there has been a lot of work over the years done to help and address the needs to these two groups.

The Gender group covers all people again as everyone has a gender but they work on issues around transgendered people and woman. The gender recognition Act came in last July 2004 and the organisation again has to look at its policies and regulations to see if they adhere to the law and make changes in cases where it does not.

The Age group looks the needs of both the old and young people within the organisation. In 2006 the new law around age comes in with looks at age discrimination in the workplace and in life.

The Race group covers all ethnic minorities and not just those who are black or Asian.

The disability group covers the needs to those who are disabled whether it is physical or mental. It also had to look amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act that came into force October 2004.

A lot of people forget how it was over 50 years in the workplace and the discrimatination against people of colour, women, gay or bi sexual people and those who are transgendered. Laws have changed around single mothers with children, part time workers and we have flexi time and part year and part time workers where consideration is made when organising flexible hours that they incorporate the lifestyles of those who have children. The law and also the Union and groups like the ones mentioned are presently and are currently helping to shape change. Without them a lot of the changes may have not taken place.

It is essential to move onto other areas of work and rights of people who up to now have had little or no protection under the law which include gay people, trangendered people. Due the Stephen Lawrence enquiry changes have been made to the Race law and also there have been important amendments to help the lives of disabled people in and outside work. The six groups are there to protect and help the organisation meet the needs of these client and staff groups. To make sure that your employer knows the needs of their staff and the discrimination, bullying, harassment and inequalities that these groups face. Working with these groups and using the information and guidance your employer can address the issues and make sure that they are in step with the regulations of the new law and also find solutions to the problems.