The facts about new equality laws, recently lampooned by TV business Dragon Duncan Bannatyne, will be explained to North Staffordshire companies at an event staged by leading regional employment lawyers Grindeys.

Health club boss Bannatyne mocked the Equality Act 2010 as the end of the office joke.

But businesses will be able to get a more considered view of the new rules if they attend the “Equality Act – is your business ready?” seminar at the Stoke campus ofStaffordshire University on Wednesday, October 20.

Around 90 per cent of the Equality Act 2010 came into force on October 1, 2010.

Sharon Auld, Senior employment adviser at Grindeys said: “The introduction of the new Act has led to much debate including some inflammatory statements.

“We plan to cut through the controversy and give company leaders and HR staff a concise guide to how the new legislation will impact on their businesses.

“The new act establishes a single approach to dealing with discrimination. There are several changes to previous rules, for example employers will generally not be able to ask job applicants about health and disability issues.

“Companies are likely to have to amend their HR policies and may need to seek legal guidance.”

Stoke based Grindeys is staging the event in conjunction with Staffordshire University and the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NSCCI).

The event, including breakfast, will be held at the Ashley Building on the university’s Leek Road site, starting and will run from 8.30am to 12.30pm.

Places at the seminar, at a cost of £30 (£25 for North Staffs Chamber of Commerce  members) can be booked by telephoning Staffordshire University on 01782 294178.

ENDS

For further information contact Julie Draper on 01782 840552