Equalities officer
Job Description:Equalities officers make sure people are treated equally in an organisation by promoting positive practices and attitudes.
Job Category:What you will do:
In this role you could:
- identify equality issues
- introduce new policies and review existing practices
- work with employers to help them develop a diverse workforce
- raise awareness in organisations, schools and the community
- support community projects and groups
- promote equality law and events, like International Women’s Week
- make sure adverts and promotions do not discriminate
- prepare and deliver training, presentations and workshops
Skills:
You’ll need:
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- knowledge of human resources and employment law
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
As well as:
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills (creative skills)
- active listening skills
- customer service skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations (adaptability skills)
Entry Requirements:
To become an equalities officer, specific subjects are not typically required. However, having a strong educational background in relevant areas can be beneficial. Equalities officers work to promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities within organisations and communities. While specific subjects are not mandatory, here are some subjects and skills that can be helpful:
- Social Sciences: Courses related to social sciences, such as sociology or psychology, can provide valuable knowledge about human behaviour, social issues, and discrimination.
- English Language: Strong communication skills, including written and verbal communication, are essential for conveying information related to equality and diversity.
- Mathematics: Basic math skills may be useful for tasks like analyzing data related to diversity and inclusion programs.
- Legal Studies (if available): Courses related to law or legal studies can provide an understanding of relevant laws and regulations related to equality and discrimination.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Proficiency in using computer software for research, data analysis, and communication can be valuable.
- Ethics or Philosophy (optional): Courses in ethics or philosophy can provide insights into moral and ethical principles related to equality and discrimination.
Post School
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- a college course
- applying directly
University
You could do a degree in a relevant subject, such as:
- law
- psychology
- sociology
- community or youth studies
- human resources
Postgraduate courses
You could also do a postgraduate qualification if you want to learn more about equality and diversity.
You could study something like:
- disability studies
- race and ethnic relations
- equality and diversity studies
College
You could get an introduction to this type of work from a relevant college course, like a Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity.
Apprenticeship
You could do an advanced apprenticeship in HR support to help you get started in this role.
This typically takes about 18 months to complete and is a mix of learning in the workplace and the classroom.
Volunteering
You will find it useful if you have experience of working in the community.
You can get this by volunteering:
- to help with equality and diversity issues in a student union or trade union
- with a local community group, tenants’ association or charity
- in a related career like housing, regeneration, social work or youth work
Direct Application
You could apply directly for jobs if you have work experience and knowledge of equal opportunities issues and laws.
You might find it helpful to have experience in human resources, youth and community work or social work when you are looking for jobs.
Career tips
If you want to work as an equality and diversity officer in a school, you may first need to qualify as a teacher.
Working Hours and Environment:
Typically you could work 38 to 40 hours a week, occasionally including evenings or weekends.
You could work in an office.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience, you could become a senior officer and work towards accreditation.
You could also work as a consultant, move into human resources or become a manager.