ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the complex nature of discrimination and disadvantage faced by many in the UK labour market, by drawing on research that examined over 500 projects in London which prepared individuals from disadvantaged groups for entry to the labour market – the ‘3Ds London’ project (Beutel and Paraskevopoulou 2006). While other chapters in this Handbook have considered the nature of discrimination in employment or the workplace, this chapter focuses on the difficulties experienced by members of disadvantaged and discriminated social groups in accessing employment. The analysis and case studies1 undertaken as part of the ‘3Ds London’ research illustrate the complex ways in which multiple disadvantage and discrimination combine to create barriers for entry to the labour market. For example, ‘postcode discrimination’, low skills, lack of work experience, age, gender, ethnicity, disability and refugee status are all shown to be elements in how individuals face difficulties in gaining employment. However, the research found examples of good practice that show how employers and other agencies can successfully work together through targeted initiatives to improve the employment opportunities of disadvantaged groups.
