University embraces staff online training to raise awareness of equality and diversity
News Release - 9th September 2009
The University of Abertay Dundee is providing training to raise staff awareness of equality and diversity issues, which have come to the fore in higher education recently, by implementing a number of Marshall ACM's e-learning courses, starting with 'Diversity in the Workplace'.
The University's Equality & Diversity Sub-Committee, which has Mr James Nicholson (Head of Student Services) as its Chair and Mr Colin Grethè (Head of Human Resources) as its Vice-Chair, has taken the lead in developing the programme.
'Diversity in the Workplace' focuses on helping the University to address equality and diversity issues. This extends beyond statutory legislation of the traditional boundaries of sex, race and disability discrimination. Its purpose is threefold: it aims to help users to increase their familiarity with equal opportunities legislation, gain an understanding of the broader issues of diversity and equal opportunities, and ultimately to better understand their responsibilities and rights as a member of the staff of the University.
Dr Eamon Greenwood, Secretariat, University of Abertay Dundee, and one of the first to participate in the online training, says, "I found the course to be comprehensive, easily-understood, reasonably quick to complete, pitched at the right level and attractive to work through".
Mr Colin Grethè, says, "The University acknowledges the centrally-important purpose of supporting activity in equality and diversity because we have a very contemporary and culturally diverse working and learning community, and need to ensure we all understand and respect differences that reflect such a society. This training will help further develop and maintain an inclusive environment in which everyone is encouraged to fulfil their potential, where students and staff feel that their contribution is valued, and in which staff members are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to complying with the relevant legislation. Subsequently, this will also help minimise the risk of unlawful discrimination and the associated difficulties such practices can raise".
The training provides a summary of a wide range of topics germane to the area of equal opportunities promotion, including relevant legislation (such as the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, discrimination (on grounds of gender, gender re-assignment, sexual orientation, race, disability, religion/belief or age), harassment and stereotyping.
The Marshall ACM module is a very flexible e-learning package. Although the complete module only takes approximately an hour to fully complete, the training can be undertaken at a time that is convenient to the user and allows the programme to be divided into manageable time slots. Users can go back to any of the sections to review the summary information, and they undertake a basic test upon completion of the module to ensure understanding. The module also contains references to suggestions for further relevant reading.
The University will also be rolling out other e-learning modules in the coming academic year, including 'Recruitment and Selection', 'Stress in the Workplace', and 'Equality Impact Assessment'.
Marshall ACM delivers a managed e-learning service to over 220 organisations across the public and private sector in the UK and Republic of Ireland. It can be contacted via its website www.marshallacm.co.uk, by calling +44 (0)845 123 3909 or emailing contactus@marshallacm.co.uk.
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For press information, contact: Kay Phelps, The PR Department for Marshall ACM, T: + 44 1932 789524; M: + 44 7710 043244; or kay.phelps@theprdepartment.net
About Marshall ACM
Set up in 2002 by David Marshall, formerly Head of Research at Penna Consulting, Marshall ACM has 220 public and private sector organisations using its online training making it an established leader in e-diversity training. It focuses on quality, speed and innovation and demonstrates value to clients over a sustained period of time. It is based in Southwark, in the heart of London, working all over the UK and increasingly internationally. www.marshallacm.co.uk
About Abertay
http://www.abertay.ac.uk/about/
To find out more about the courses, discuss pricing, or arrange a demonstration, 