The public will now have the opportunity to nominate organisations they believe are striving for an equal and fair work environment in Bermuda for awards.

In an attempt to further the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality's (CURE) goal of promoting equality in the workplace five awards will be given at their National Workforce Empowerment Conference on September 27 with the theme "Diversity and Racial Equality in the Workplace".

According to a spokesperson for CURE the award scheme was devised to distinguish those organisations that both in principle and practice work effectively to ensure equal and fair work environments.

"This means that the recognised employer hires and promotes fairly, has a good representation of the people who comprise Bermuda's population, adheres to the Code of Practice, and makes outstanding efforts toward promoting equality of opportunity," he said.

The awards' categories are: Representation by Race, Equality of Opportunity Initiatives, Adoption of the Codes of Practice, Employees Choice and Overall.

For an organisation to be nominated for the Representation by Race award, they must demonstrate that the racial representation exceeds workforce norms and is similar to the racial demographics of Bermuda.

An organisation that has undertaken initiatives to promote equality in the workplace through scholarships, group-specific mentoring programme, personal development or empowerment initiatives can be nominated for the Equality of Opportunity Initiatives award. The third award, Adoption of the Codes of Practice, is for an organisation that has embraced CURE's Code of Practice through all areas of their work environment.

Employees who nominate their company for practicing equal opportunity through their hiring, training, mentoring and investing in Bermudians can win the Employees Choice award.

Finally the Overall award will be given to the organisation that demonstrates all criteria and excel in practicing equal opportunity.

Once an organisation is nominated, a selection process which includes verifying the nominee has acceptable levels of representation, adheres to human rights, employment and immigration procedures and completes the self-administered questionnaires will be completed.

The deadline for nominating an organisation is Friday, August 24 and forms can be picked up at CURE, Suite 202, Melbourne House, 11 Parliament Street, Hamilton HM 12 or for more information call 296-0613 or email cure@ibl.bm.