Firms fear 'unknown' employment legislation

Dublin's Northside Partnership has warned that employers are not hiring people with disabilities or diverse backgrounds because they are afraid of breaching employment legislation unwittingly.

The body responsible for promoting enterprise, employment, community development and education in parts of Dublin's Northside says that employers are not aware of the legal requirements of dealing with such employees and often are afraid to take them on as a result.

Fiona Nolan, Employment Project & Enterprise Manager with the Northside Partnership, said: "There is also a genuine worry that they might cause offence to these individuals simply because they don't know the right way to react."

The Northside Partnership is providing companies with 'Equality and Diversity Training' where an approved facilitator is organised for companies who assists them through applying for the training elements and also helps the companies to fill out any paperwork involved in order to access the financial assistance available to them.

"The initiative will give employers the information they need and the expertise to deal with any situations that could arise," Ms. Nolan said.

The Northside Partnership is one of 38 Partnership Companies funded through Area Development Management (ADM) Ltd by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Its function is to meet the challenge of social inclusion and accessible employment throughout the Northside of Dublin.