All people are equal, but some are more equal than others. While this Orwellian aphorism still holds sway in many spheres of society, if the lawmakers have their way it will soon become a relic of the past, in the workplace at least. A wave of employment legislation that is surging around the world seeks to sweep away prejudices and evoke a sea change in policies and attitudes, with employers placed at the helm of the reforms. If the efforts pay off, they will ensure that everyone gets a fair bite of the employment apple.
Germany has caught up with its EU obligations regarding equality directives. The law has had a torrid and protracted birth, evolving from a draft anti-discrimination law tabled by the previous Social Democrat-Green Government in December 2004. The draft drew heavy fire from opposition Conservatives who condemned its provisions as far exceeding the European requirements, placing German employers at an undue competitive disadvantage, and it failed to make it onto the statute books before last September’s general election.
