Equality Officers
NASUWT Equalities Officers are elected and accredited lay officials of the Union. Each Local Association has been encouraged to create a Local Association Equality Officer position which is elected from the membership. Equality Officers promote and support the equalities agenda within the Local Association. They can also provide information and advice on equalities issues. Equality Officers can be contacted via Local Associations.
The role of the Equality Officer
Below are some key duties of an Equality Officer:
- promoting and supporting the equalities agenda within the Local Association
- working alongside the other officers of the Local Association to bring equalities into the mainstream;
- encouraging members form under-represented groups to become involved in Union activity;
- supporting recruitment and organising of members from under-represented groups;
- promoting equality issues in local campaigns and activities;
- advising on equalities issues affecting members.
News and resources
SERTUC Equality Audit
SERTUC, the TUC in London the Southern and Eastern Region launched the results of their ninth Survey of Equality in Trade Unions. The document entitled Swimming Against the Tide (new window) looks at the equalities work of unions and the involvement of under-represented groups in trade union activity. The NASUWT continues to contribute to the audit and information on the Union's work is contained within the audit.
TUC Equality Audit
The TUC has published its 2011 Equality Audit (new window). The Equality Audit is a survey of the work and practices of trade unions on equality issues. It covers union structures, policies and services. The first Audit took place in 2003. Since then there have been benchmark audits every two years. The NASUWT is proud to have taken part in all of the audits and has received recognition from the TUC for its pioneering work on equalities. Following the Audit the Union has updated its Equalities Priorities (PDF - 118KB).
NASUWT Equalities Calendar
The popular NASUWT Equalities Calendar (PDF - 555KB) is out again for the academic year 2012-13. You can download a copy on this page or order hard copies from the NASUWT by calling 0121 453 6150 or email equalityandtraining@mail.nasuwt.org.uk
Equalities Matters Newsfeed
The Equalities Matters Newsfeed is a news stream on the latest equalities issues. You can now sign up for a RSS Feed so that you will receive regular equalities news.
Training and Support
Training is available to assist the Equalities Officers in carrying out their duties. The next Equality Officers Training will be in the Eastern Region at a date to be confirmed.
Termly Equality Officers Briefings are held at the NASUWT headquarters to provide information and advice on a range of equalities issues and developments in legislation, employment law and campaigns.
The remaining 2013 briefings will take place on:
03 July
22 October
All briefings will take place at the Union's headquarters in Rednal, Birmingham.
Equality Officers' Briefings
The most recent Equality Officers' Briefing took place in March 2013 and included sessions on dealing with equalities discrimination casework, changes to government disability benefits and the impact of proposed pay flexibility on equalities groups.
The October 2012 briefing covered sessions on: equalities legislation and case law, the watering down of the Equality Act, Standing up for Standards campaign. and the work of UAF Unite against Facism.
The July 2012 briefing featured sessions on; equalities legislation and case law, the Public Sector Equality Duty and schools, Culturally driven abuse and international solidarity.
This video is embedded from the NASUWT YouTube channel. You may have difficulty viewing it if you have filters blocking the site.
Notes EOB March
Notes of March 2012 Equality Officers' Briefing (PDF-77KB)
