Social mobility

Should socio-economic background be a protected characteristic?

Socio-economic background is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. This means if people face discrimination because of their class, or assumptions made about it, they do not have the...

How to define socio-economic background

There have always been several different questions that employers can ask to determine the socio-economic background of their employees, including parental qualifications, parental occupation, type of...

Social mobility on the up since 2014

The Social Mobility Commission has published its State of the Nation report showing improved social mobility in the past eight years and new measures to tackle socio-economic inequality.

Social mobility: The route less travelled in D&I, part two

Employers are getting to grips with social mobility as part of building a fairer workplace. Beau Jackson reports on the pitfalls HR needs to be aware of when taking its first steps.

Social mobility: The route less travelled in diversity and inclusion

Employers are getting to grips with social mobility as part of building a fairer workplace. Beau Jackson reports on the pitfalls HR needs to be aware of when taking its first steps.

Degree apprenticeships could help improve social mobility

Despite a digital skills crisis, and a need to hire and upskill fast, we continue to present school leavers with a binary choice when it comes to continuing their learning – go to university or take...

The talent crisis: panic hiring is not the answer

As the UK hits the highest number of job vacancies in 20 years business leaders are panic hiring to fill vacancies and to heal financial wounds. Yet an underlying theme predicted to surface from the...

Entrepreneurship education boosts social mobility, and not just for startup founders 

Having a great idea for a product or service is seldom enough to become a successful entrepreneur. It is often a key component, but there are many other skills required.  

Working class and a woman: what the research tells us

Characteristics such as socio-economic background do not exist in isolation, and there are important interactions between socio-economic background and women.

Building decent work for ethnic minorities, part two

Using a collaborative and strengths-based approach to development can help iron out ethnic inequalities, reduce in-work poverty and improve opportunities for all for finding decent work, find Tony...

Building decent work for ethnic minorities, part one

Using a collaborative and strengths-based approach to development can help iron out ethnic inequalities, reduce in-work poverty and improve opportunities for all for finding decent work, find Tony...

How do you define social mobility?

A lot of businesses want to hire more diverse candidates, but how can you better define and position socio-economic status to improve social mobility in organisations?