Equality Plan
Employers have a general statutory obligation to promote equality. The employer must assess the realisation of equality in the workplace and, where necessary, develop specific non-discriminatory practices in working conditions and procedures for recruitment and other decisions concerning personnel. The obligation to promote equality applies to all employers, regardless of their size.
Employers with regularly at least 30 employees must have a plan in place concerning required measures to promote equality. Promotional measures and their effectiveness must be discussed with personnel or their representatives. The Equality Plan is regulated by the Non-Discrimination Act.
The equality plan may be drawn up separately or incorporated in, for example, the gender equality plan [Gender Equality Plan] under the Act on Equality between Women and Men, the work community development plan [Work Community Development Plan] under the Act on Co-operation in Undertakings, or the occupational safety and health policy [Occupational Safety and Health Policy] under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. If the plan is prepared as a part of another plan, it is necessary to be able to separate actions that are related to promoting equality.
The equality plan must include a report on the conclusions of the assessment of the equality situation and measures to promote equality. The equality situation in the workplace must be assessed from the perspective of all the prohibited grounds for discrimination mentioned in the Act. The employer may choose the measures best suited to the needs of the workplace to promote equality, but the measures must nevertheless be effective, appropriate and proportionate, taking into account the operating environment, resources and other circumstances. When drawing up the plan, in addition to the needs of the workplace, the company’s size, financial resources, personnel structure, etc. can be taken into account.
There is no specific period for updating or reviewing the plan, but it is updated when necessary, at agreed intervals or when other plans are updated. The preparation shall be carried out in cooperation with the personnel or their representatives.