asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many posts there are in the Equality and Human Rights Commission; how many vacancies there are at present; how many vacancies are being temporarily filled by consultants, temporary staff and interim appointees; how many staff have not accepted their terms and conditions of employment since the establishment of the commission; why such staff have not accepted their terms and conditions; and what the impact is on staff morale, performance and effectiveness. [HL6270]

There are 525 posts in the Equality and Human Rights Commission. As of 12 November 2008, there are 35 vacancies. There are a further four posts which it is seeking to fill on a fixed-term basis, because there is no requirement to fill these roles permanently. Of the 35 vacancies, a total of six are being temporarily filled, all by agency staff.

Since the establishment of the commission and as at 12 November, only one person has notified the commission that they will not be accepting the commission's terms and conditions. This particular case is to do with the job-matching process. It is a priority to resolve the issue quickly for that individual's sake but there is no evidence that this case has had an overall impact on morale.