On Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 2:30 PM, Stewart Bryant <stbryant@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > A person's sex is of course only one of the recognized "protected > characteristics". > > http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/protected-characteristics-definitions/ > > The full set is: > > Age > Disability > Gender ressignment > Marriage and civil partnetship > Pregnancy and maternity > Race > Religion and belief > Sex > Sexual orientation > > If we formally recognize one of the "protected characteristics" we surely > have to formally recognize and make provision within our rules and operating > procedures for all of them. > > Although I point to a UK site my understanding is that these protected > characteristics are enacted in European Union law and thus apply across the > whole of the EU. [MB] I fully agree. My experiences certainly only reflect a subset of the characteristics you identify and I fully agree they all should be equally considered in terms of ensuring that bias is minimized. However, I would never, ever advocate Affirmative Action programs or any decision making process that does not appoint the most qualified individual. [/MB] > > Stewart > > > >