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The British Furniture Manufacturers' Association (BFM), the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors National Training Organisation (FFINTO) and the GMB trade union have developed a Code of Practice for the industry on Achieving Equality and Diversity in Employment. this has been possible because of funding made available by the DTI through the Partnership Fund.

Employers must ensure that they comply with equality and discrimination laws or otherwise they risk expensive litigation. These laws are extensive, covering discrimination in the areas of sex (including gender re-assignment and orientation), race, disability, religion or belief, trade union membership and (from 2006) age (‘young' and ‘old').

At the same time the industry suffers from skill shortages and labour retention problems, and yet there is a pool of talent from very diverse backgrounds that employers' seldom consider for recruitment, training or promotion.

With the different groupings making up society today, it makes good business sense for a company's workforce to better reflect its customers (or potential customers).

There is also the potential for companies to obtain new, or secure existing orders, as more and more customers require suppliers to demonstrate their commitment to equality and diversity.

"Diversity" recognises that individuals and groups are different and that implementing measures are needed to capture them and harness their talents to best effect

How to be an Equality and Diversity Employer

A tour of the site will show you that you can become an equality and diversity employer by adopting good and sensible practices. Case studies show how companies within the industry have applied equality and diversity policies to meet their particular needs. This is supplemented by a benchmarking tool that enables companies to audit their existing practices and to plan for, and action, improvements.

How to gain Independent Accreditation

Companies that show that they have adopted and are committed to equality and diversity can gain independent and certified accreditation in recognition of their achievement. This is accompanied by a logo that can be used on letter headings. Details of those companies who have achieved Equality and Diversity Accreditation are shown on the site. It is your chance to be one of them.

Background to the project

The documentation and Accreditation Scheme was put together over a 2-year period by a steering group of employer, training and employer and union representatives. They developed the project to completion with the aid of the DTI's Partnership Fund who appointed Price Waterhouse Coopers to oversee the work. A pilot exercise was undertaken in companies together with extensive consultation within the industry before the launch in January 2005.
The Steering group comprised of BFM: Roger Mason (Managing Director); Mike Dimond (National Secretary), Caroline Haye (graphic & web design) with employer representatives - Paul Jordan (Hypnos Ltd), Shamin Moti (Gordon Ellis Ltd); Anne Friedlander (Airsprung Beds Ltd); FFINTO: Jackie Bazeley (Chief Executive); GMB: P Davies (National Secretary CFTA Section), Derek Addison (Organiser) and lay representatives Don McGregor (Contour Mobel Ltd), Paul Eyre (Barton Products Ltd) and Les Woodward (Remploy Furniture Group Ltd).