LTB 302/20 - Covid-19 CWU Survey and impacts on people with protective characteristics

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 302/20 - Covid-19 CWU Survey and impacts on people with protective characteristics

LTB No: 302/20

8th June 2020



Dear Colleague,

Covid-19 CWU Survey and impacts on people with protective characteristics

The Equality, Education and Development department have become increasing aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected some sections of the population more than others, and that there are growing concerns that minority groups are being disproportionately affected.

To raise awareness of some of the issues affecting people with protected characteristics the department has produced the attached report setting out some of the key points emerging from recent research and analysis. The report reviews the evidence that black and minority ethnic communities are at greater risk of catching and dying from the virus than their white counterparts. It also considers the impacts coronavirus is having on other minorities such as women, people with disabilities and LGBT+ groups. Exploring the government’s reactions, the report highlights what the trade union movement has been calling for in response.

Whilst it is important that members and representatives are made aware of these issues and responses, it is vitally important that we conduct our own CWU research to help inform our CWU lobbying and campaigning work. We are particularly interested to hear about the impact of Covid-19 on our members, therefore the department has produced a short questionnaire for members and representatives to participate in. The survey will take less than 3 minutes to complete. A link for the survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DMTMW6F" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The closing date for the survey is 30th June 2020. Please share your experiences of COVID-19 and fill in the survey.

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to equality&education@cwu.org


Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 302/20 – Covid-19 CWU Survey and impacts on people with protective characteristics https://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-mhkzdd-jtfljxkj-d/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

LTB 302/20 Attachment – Covid 19 – impacts on people with protective charateristics https://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-mhkzdd-jtfljxkj-h/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

View Online https://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-mhkzdd-jtfljxkj-k/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JKSmudge]

To raise awareness of some of the issues affecting people with protected characteristics the department has produced the attached report setting out some of the key points emerging from recent research and analysis. The report reviews the evidence that black and minority ethnic communities are at greater risk of catching and dying from the virus than their white counterparts. It also considers the impacts coronavirus is having on other minorities such as women, people with disabilities and LGBT+ groups. Exploring the government’s reactions, the report highlights what the trade union movement has been calling for in response.

1. WTF are 'protected characteristics' ?

2. When did women become a minority ?

[Woody Guthrie]

I don't want to add to a gender war but I think if you start a statement with this...

The Equality, Education and Development department have become increasing aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected some sections of the population more than others

And then completely ignore and don't even mention the fact that far more men than women are seriously affected by and die of Covid-19 you have fatally undermined your own message.

That's a big elephant in the room to ignore.

[POSTMAN]

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/ ... cteristics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What are protected characteristics?
It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:

age
disability
gender reassignment
marriage and civil partnership
pregnancy and maternity
race
religion or belief
sex
sexual orientation
These are called protected characteristics.

[hero22]

I don't want to add to a gender war but I think if you start a statement with this...

The Equality, Education and Development department have become increasing aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected some sections of the population more than others

And then completely ignore and don't even mention the fact that far more men than women are seriously affected by and die of Covid-19 you have fatally undermined your own message.

That's a big elephant in the room to ignore.

Completely agree and why would the LGBT community be looked at to see if it affects them more ?

[sindba]

I don't want to add to a gender war but I think if you start a statement with this...

The Equality, Education and Development department have become increasing aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected some sections of the population more than others

And then completely ignore and don't even mention the fact that far more men than women are seriously affected by and die of Covid-19 you have fatally undermined your own message.

That's a big elephant in the room to ignore.

Completely agree and why would the LGBT community be looked at to see if it affects them more ?

It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:

age
disability
gender reassignment
marriage and civil partnership
pregnancy and maternity
race
religion or belief
sex
sexual orientation

These are called protected characteristics

[hero22]

I don't want to add to a gender war but I think if you start a statement with this...

The Equality, Education and Development department have become increasing aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected some sections of the population more than others

And then completely ignore and don't even mention the fact that far more men than women are seriously affected by and die of Covid-19 you have fatally undermined your own message.

That's a big elephant in the room to ignore.

Completely agree and why would the LGBT community be looked at to see if it affects them more ?

It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:

age
disability
gender reassignment
marriage and civil partnership
pregnancy and maternity
race
religion or belief
sex
sexual orientation

These are called protected characteristics

I thought this research to see what groups were higher risk. Surely whether your married or not, gay or lesbian, transsexual or whatever religion you may be, these will not have a bearing on whether your higher risk of covid ?

[sindba]

I thought this research to see what groups were higher risk. Surely whether your married or not, gay or lesbian, transsexual or whatever religion you may be, these will not have a bearing on whether your higher risk of covid ?

Dunno mate. That's why the research is needed

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I don't want to add to a gender war but I think if you start a statement with this...

The Equality, Education and Development department have become increasing aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected some sections of the population more than others

And then completely ignore and don't even mention the fact that far more men than women are seriously affected by and die of Covid-19 you have fatally undermined your own message.

That's a big elephant in the room to ignore.

Completely agree and why would the LGBT community be looked at to see if it affects them more ?

It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:

age
disability
gender reassignment
marriage and civil partnership
pregnancy and maternity
race
religion or belief
sex
sexual orientation

These are called protected characteristics

I thought this research to see what groups were higher risk. Surely whether your married or not, gay or lesbian, transsexual or whatever religion you may be, these will not have a bearing on whether your higher risk of covid ?

It's not research into COVID, its research into how businesses have dealt with COVID, and whether people feel they have been discriminated against. No mention of marital status but all of the rest are protected characteristics in law so to have a meaningful survey you need to include them all to catch anyone who thinks they have been discriminated against. At least thats how I read it.