'Financial incentives to tackle diversity'
07/07/2008(15:15)
Companies should be encouraged to improve the diversity of their workforce through financial incentives, according to a business leader.
Alex Gourlay, managing director of Boots, spoke to Personnel Today and said that any attempts to "improve diversity" must be "balanced with monetary motivation".
Under the draft equality bill which was released last week, public sector employers and firms which bid for state contracts will have to publish their diversity figures.
He claims that financial incentives, such as tax breaks, will ensure a health approach to diversity.
"There's an alternative way that encourages positive behaviour rather than the negative behaviour of, 'how do I employ three people I don't really want as they're not right for the business, but if I don't I get a cross in the box," added Mr Gourlay.
A recent proposal from legal firm Eversheds to monitor diversity in candidates from recruitment agencies has been backed by City law firms and in-house lawyers, reports The Lawyer.
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