What’s it got to do with you?

Stonewall gives reassuring guidance for people concerned about completing monitoring information

Stonewall today publishes a 10 point plain English guide to help employers and service providers explain to their staff and service users why monitoring information is being collected. ‘What’s it got to do with you?’ explains why a range of data – such as age, gender, sexual orientation and belief – may now be requested, and what the benefit is. With many organisations anticipating new measures in the Equality Bill ‘What’s it got to do with you?’ makes the case for monitoring across all equality characteristics.

Ruth Hunt, Head of Policy and Research at Stonewall, says: ‘People worry about being asked what can seem to be personal questions – including questions about their sexual orientation. No other resource exists that explains the rationale for monitoring in a clear and straightforward way. ’What’s it got to do with you?’ will help people understand why they should complete monitoring forms. Organisations will benefit by receiving accurate and complete information as a result. Most important of all, services will be better attuned to the diverse communities they serve.’

‘What’s it Got to do with you?’, produced with the support of the Big Lottery Fund, is available for download from www.stonewall.org.uk/monitoring. Copies of the 12 page guide are available by calling Stonewall’s free Infoline on 08000 50 20 20.

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