Rolls Royce scrapping its diversity programme
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Matthew Barlow
BBC News, Derby
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Rolls Royce employs around 16,000 people in Derby
A disability campaigner, a LGBT group and a union have all expressed fears about Rolls Royce's plans to scrap its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programme.
The multi national company, that employees around 16,000 people in Derby, has said it will replace the programme with a support service for all employees rather than those from diverse backgrounds.
But Unite's regional secretary Paresh Patel said he was 'frustrated' by the move because there hadn't been any discussion or negotiations about it.
He said: "A company like Rolls Royce is a company that you would expect to set the bar in this area but it seems to be regressing and this is significantly disappointing."
Reuters
Rolls Royce has said it regularly reviews its policies and it wants to support all its staff
In January President Donald Trump ordered all US Government Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) staff on administration leave as he described the programme they were on as "dangerous, demeaning and immoral".
Mr Patel added that the company was 'playing' to the US president and the narrative that was coming out in America.
Amo Raju was Chief Executive of the Derby-based charity Disability Direct for 30 years.
He said: "It is quite shocking that a well respected multi national company has in many ways led the way when it has come to diversity, equity and inclusion issues - has taken such a backward step."
He added it would mean that over time fewer people from diverse backgrounds would work for Rolls Royce.
'Short-sighted'
Sarah Barley McMullen and her wife Helen became the first single sex couple to get married in a place of worship in Derbyshire in 2016.
Ms McMullen, who is also chairman of the Pride in Belper Festival, said: "I think it is really short sighted.
"Listening specifically to people from under represented groups such as people with disabilities, people of different ethnicity or LGBT people is really important because it can challenge some of the inequalities within an organisation.
"They can help enable change to happen. It enables everyone to come to work as their whole self - they don't have to hid part of who they are."
New Employee Voice Network
Rolls Royce is replacing its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programme with an Employee Voice Network because it said it wanted to support all its staff rather than just those from minority backgrounds.
A spokesperson added: "We support all our colleagues to be at their best, ensuring we live by our behaviours and drive a culture of high performance and engagement.
We regularly review our policies and approach to make sure we achieve this outcome, while complying with all legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We have always hired based on merit and continue to do so."
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