CEO of Publicjobs.ie, Shirley Comerford, and Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Siobhán McKenna, recently participated in the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission event Achieving Equality at Work Promoting Racial Inclusion and Diversity in Practice.
The aim of the conference was to promote racial equality and diversity in the workplace. The conference highlighted the barriers to accessing employment and progressing in the workplace on an equal basis for people who are Black, from ethnic-minorities, the Traveller or Roma communities, migrants, refugees, international protection applicants and other minority groups. It put the spotlight on best employment practices and practical ways to achieve racial equality and avoid discrimination.
The day commenced with opening remarks from Sinéad Gibney, Chief Commissioner, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and a keynote address from Martin Oelz, Senior Specialist on Equality and Non-discrimination at the International Labour Organization. This was followed by the first discussion of the day on Overcoming barriers to Accessing and Progressing in Employment. The panel discussion included Mariaam Bhatti, Peer Researcher on the APT Research Project for the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, Bridget Kelly, Community Development Worker at the National Traveller Women’s Forum, Mary Connaughton, Director of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Michael O’Neill, Head of Legal of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and our own CEO, Shirley Comerford.
After the main introductory sessions, there were four breakout rooms formed with four concurrent panel discussions taking place. Our Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Siobhán McKenna, took part in discussion on Reimagining Recruitment which was moderated by Caitríona MacAonghusa, Employment Programmes Manager at Business in the Community Ireland. The panel participants also included Emanuela Plesca, Roma Education Project Lead at Ferns Diocesan Youth Service and Olajide Ogidan, Industrial Relations Officer at Forsa.
Over the course of the event, our CEO Shirley Comerford & Head of ED&I Siobhán McKenna spoke about our commitment to ensuring we recruit a diversity of people for the public service with the talent, character & commitment to deliver for Ireland.
“We play a key role in ensuring routes to career opportunities are accessible, to reduce bias and barriers to recruitment. It starts from the top, with inclusive leadership, critical to create a culture of equality in the workplace”, Shirley Comerford, CEO of Publicjobs.ie.