“How can multinational companies implement global diversity policies consistently?”, 14 Aug 2014 

Most HR practitioners are able to rattle off a complete list of the nine protected characteristics under UK equality law, and confirm that their diversity policies address each one. However, when diversity is managed on a worldwide basis, the huge differences between cultural and legal approaches to equality become a real challenge for employers…There are many countries that do not provide the same level of legal protection against discrimination as the UK…The risks can be significant, especially in relation to approaches to sexual orientation. Take, for example, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where homosexuality is a criminal offence…LGBT employees employed locally or seconded from abroad could be at risk of criminal sanctions and persecution…failure to offer employees such protection can cause employers difficulties in the UK...It is therefore vital for businesses to understand the different legal and cultural approaches to equality in all countries in which they operate…