Why Fair Play Southeast?

Fair Play Southeast is about competitiveness, opportunity and partnership in business, public and voluntary sectors in the Southeast region.

Fair Play Southeast is a company limited by guarantee, established by senior key players from different sectors committed to promoting equality of opportunity.

The approach is practical and pragmatic with a strong business base, derived from experiences as both employee and employer in small and large companies.

Fair Play Southeast was a partner of the Equal Opportunities Commission and had strong links with the other Equalty Commissions. It now liaises with the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The problems facing businesses, both small and large, who restrict their recruitment field by ignoring the benefits of diverse workforce:

• first choice employers need to offer their employees opportunities for a balanced work/home lifestyle - long hours does NOT equal effectiveness and efficiency
  
• skills shortages exist in the South East and look set to grow unless they are addressed
  
• investment in people is the largest commitment made by any business - recruiting the right people and providing all staff with opportunities for career development helps companies to maintain their competitive edge
  
• women, ethnic minorities and those with disabilities represent a considerable pool of skills and talent too often ignored because of stereotyping rather than an unprejudiced appraisal of an individual's abilities and suitability
  
• experience is valued in a consultant but age may be an issue when recruiting employees
  
• a pro-active approach towards equality of opportunity and valuing workforce diversity will enhance the region's economic competitiveness
  
• an increasingly diverse population in the SE is best served by buisinesses with a diverse workforce.