Employees

August saw the end of consultation on the government's plans for a new combined Commission for Equality and Human Rights. Highly controversial, the proposal marks the most radical change since the separate race and gender commissions (CRE and EOC) were set up in the 1970s, with the disability commission (DRC) more recently established in 2000.

The fundamental fear is that the merger will result in loss of focus, and it would be understandable if campaigners on disability - historically the 'poor relation' compared to the other equality issues - felt this most acutely. It is a growing complaint, for example, that disability issues in CSR reports are addressed much less frequently and then only as general statements of good intent, with little on actual performance.

However bodies such as the Employers Forum on Disability are clear in their support, saying that a single commission mirrors what is happening in companies who are developing internal diversity departments rather than single departments for each strand of diversity. They hope that the commission will provide them with a single authoritative voice and a one-stop shop for consistent guidance. We agree.

One opportunity for a common approach is in the area of customers, as distinct from the traditional focus on employment discrimination. Here recent legislation protects the rights of customers with a disability, better than on other equality issues, through the requirement for service providers to make 'reasonable adjustments' for disabled customers in order to treat them equally. The next tranche of rules comes into force in October. Examples are induction loops or providing information in an accessible format. Such positive action is not required on race or gender, leaving it to individuals to complain if they are discriminated against.

But one area of concern is with 'human rights'. The ostensible remit of the new CEHR extends to sexual orientation, religion and age. But confusion about what this means in practice for employees and customers is leading to calls for a new single Equalities Act. This mirrors the current international debate at the United Nations about the definition of human rights and what it means for companies. Definitely one to watch.