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 EXAM FOCUS POINT 
There is an article on the ACCA website entitled “Equal opportunities” that is relevant to material in 
this chapter. 
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CHAPTER 13
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DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 
 
345 
1.1.2 Why is equal opportunity an issue for employers? 
Sound 
business arguments
can be made for having an equal opportunities policy. 
Reasons argued for adopting non- or anti-discrimination measures include the following. 
(a) 
Common decency and fairness, in line with business ethics. 
(b) Good HR practice, to attract and retain the best people for the job, regardless of race or gender. 
(c)
Compliance with relevant legislation and Codes of Practice, which are used by employment 
tribunals. 
(d) Widening the recruitment pool in times of skill shortages. 
(e)
Other potential benefits to the business through its image as a good employer, and through the 
loyalty of customers who benefit from (or support) equality principles. 
 
2
Equal opportunity 
Discrimination
of certain types is illegal in the UK on grounds of: 

Sex and marital status 

Colour, race, nationality and ethnic or national origin 

Disability 

Sexual orientation and religious beliefs 

Age 
There are three types of discrimination. 

Direct discrimination
occurs when one interested group is treated less favourably than another 
(except for exempted cases). It is unlikely that a prospective employer will practise direct 
discrimination without being aware of it. 

Indirect discrimination
occurs when a policy or practice is fair in form, but discriminatory in 
operation. For example, requiring all applicants to be clean shaven would put members of some 
religious groups at a disadvantage. Another example would be a policy preventing staff working 
part time (those with children or family responsibilities could be disadvantaged). 
