Highlights from last week’s equality and diversity news: Bristol race discrimination case upheld, research by IiP says wellbeing most important factor in job satisfaction and Cambridge academics call for more inclusive recruitment processes to address lack of female professors.

A black staff member at City Academy, Bristol has had his claim of race discrimination upheld by an employment tribunal. David McLeod had been passed over for promotion three times in six years in favour of a white person. The judge also criticised the school for appointing an all-white, British management team to run a programme to help underachieving black and ethnic minority pupils. A hearing to decide on compensation will be held at a later date.

Research by Investors in People suggests ‘sickies’ could be dramatically reduced if employers provided more health and well-being benefits. In the survey of 3000 full time staff, wellbeing came out as the factor most likely to give people job satisfaction. 54% of respondents felt their employer didn’t care about their health and well-being, and of these, nearly half said it made them feel less motivated at work and more likely to pull sickies. Paul Devoy, head of IiP, said: “Organisations need to see staff health and well-being as crucial to their business and staff retention.” He added: “Happier staff are less likely to take time off sick.”

A group of academics from Cambridge University have, in a letter to the Times Higher Education, called for inclusive recruitment processes to address the lack of female professors. At present, only 20% of professors in the UK are women. The proposals suggest ways of measuring applications that will not unduly advantage men: “A broader, more inclusive approach to success and promotion, where other academic contributions, including teaching, administration and outreach work are valued, would make it easier for women to advance.” The Guardian Higher Education Network hosted a debate on the topic.

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