Anti-discrimination
Questions and answers on the practical implementation of the General Equal Treatment Act at the workplace can be found on the website of the of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Office.
The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency also provides a comprehensive AGG guide and the video "The AGG explained".
Discrimination in personnel recruitment
The "Guide for Employers: Anonymised application procedures" of the federal Anti-Discrimination Office offers employers and personnel managers a step-by-step guide to implementing anonymised application procedures.
Target group: Employers, human resources managers, employees in managerial positions
How do anonymised application procedures work in practice? In the report "Das anonymisierte Bewerbungsverfahren bei kleinen Vereinen im Praxistest" [The anonymous application procedure for small associations in a practical test], the Antidiskriminierungsbüro Köln views things from the perspective of a non-profit association and examines the anonymous application procedure in terms of its practicality. The report guides the reader through all stages of the implementation, ranging from the preliminary considerations to the application and evaluation of the results after the application process has been completed.
Target group: Employers, human resources managers, particularly interesting for smaller non-profit organisations.
Dispelling prejudices in the workforce
Talking to employees or colleagues to draw attention to prejudices can be a delicate matter. The guide "Prejudices in the workplace" of the RKW Competence Centre is particularly interesting for employers, HR managers and group leaders who want to use reasoning strategies for discussions with employees without exposing their counterparts. It offers suggestions, counter-questions and examples for the concrete conversation. It also provides information on terms, figures and facts in order to prepare for possible arguments of the interlocutor and to be able to react better.
Target group: Employers, human resources managers, employees in managerial positions
For all those who want to get actively involved in combating prejudice against refugee colleagues, the association “Mach’ meinen Kumpel nicht an! — für Gleichbehandlung, gegen Fremdenfeindlichkeit und Rassismus“ ["Don't mess with my mate! – for equal treatment, against xenophobia and racism”] has published a handout. The brochure "Protecting Refugees – Countering Racism. Handout for activists in the world of work" informs people about the legal background and sheds light on the reasoning patterns of right-wing and right-wing populist movements.
Target group: Employees, employers, HR managers, consultants, works councils
The trade union Verdi also offers on its website aktiv-gegen-diskriminierung.info counterarguments against typical reservations towards people with a migration background. The arguments are not only helpful for everyday working life, but are generally aimed at committed people who want to counter widespread reservations about immigrants.
Target group: everyone
Counteracting Discrimination
Background information especially for refugees and new immigrants on discrimination based on origin and religion — in general and specifically in the workplace — is provided by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency in the brochure "Diskriminierungsschutz in Deutschland. Ein Ratgeber für Geflüchtete und Neuzugewanderte” [Protection against Discrimination in Germany. A Guide for Refugees and New Immigrants]. The publication is available in ten languages.
When discrimination occurs in the workplace, works councils are among the first places to turn to. The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) obliges companies to set up an internal complaints office to which employees can turn if necessary. The IQ Network Bremen has published the guide "Countering Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace! Handouts for internal complaints bodies in accordance with the General Equal Treatment Act & further materials", which shows companies the implementation steps for setting up an in-house complaints office.
Target group: Entrepreneurs, works councils
The training phase greatly shapes further social interaction in the world of work. The Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (f-bb), in cooperation with vocational training practitioners, developed the method case "Diversity in training". This offers teachers and trainers a variety of methods to address forms of discrimination such as racism and sexism with young adults.
Target group: Vocational education and training staff (advisers at the upper secondary school centres, teachers and trainers), those involved in the professionalisation of vocational education and training staff (including human resources departments, works councils, managing directors, chambers of commerce, trade unions and business associations).
Those affected by discrimination quite often suffer in silence or seek causes for their discomfort within themselves. The Basis und Woge e.V. published the handout "Recognise and Act on Discrimination" one year after the AGG came into force. It addresses counselling centres and migrant organisations. The brochure offers step-by-step instructions, checklists and background information to raise awareness about discrimination and on how to help quickly and competently.
Target group: Counsellors, migrant organisations