These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications.
Q: We have a large female workforce but most of our supervisors and managers are male. We would like to redress this balance and feel that we have some women with management potential. However if we focus on developing them, are we then guilty of unlawful sex discrimination?
A: No. There is provision in law for you to do just what you intend. You may select women only, or indeed members of any minority ethnic group that is poorly represented at management levels for management development training provided that you select from existing employees only. You would be acting unlawfully only if you advertised outside for such people to apply for the training.
Women who have already raised families and wish to return to work often lack confidence in themselves but are a splendid source of management staff. Go to it!
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