The Equality Act 2010 has replaced the previous complex ant-discrimination laws with a single Act. It brings together nine separate peices of legislation, simplifying and strengthening the law to help tackle discrimination and inequality.
The Equality Act covers the same groups that were protected by previous legislation - age, disability, gender resssignement, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnetship and pregnancy and maternity. These are now called, 'Protected Characteristics'. The Act extends some protection to groups not previously covered, and also strengthens particular apsects of equality law.
This will mean that you need to review and possibly change some of your policies and practices. Equality Training can help you update your policies and train your staff. The policies are only as good as the people who enforce them. We can help your organisation appreciate both the company's and individuals responsibility, liability and managment of diversity.
Expectations of fair treatment have increased. People are willing to complain or move jobs if they are not happy. Increasingly people are looking to work, orobtain services from an organisation that is ethically sound and fair in its practices and procedures.
Public Sector Duty - The new Public Sector Duty requires public bodies to have a "due regard" to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassement and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations This duty of due regard must be shown in equality when reaching decisions, developing policies and/or making changes which effect diverse individuals and communities. Breach of the public sector equality duty can result in a court quashing a public body's decison.
Diversity covers visible and non-visible differences. Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment where people are valued and their talents are fully utilised.
Age
The Act protects people of all ages.
Disability
The Act has made it easier for a person to show that they are disabled and protected from disability discrimination.
Gender reassignment
The Act provides protection for transsexual people. A transsexual person is someone who proposes to, starts or has completed a process to change his or her gender.
Marriage and civil partnership
The Act protects employees who are married or in a civil partnership against discrimination.
Race
For the purposes of the Act race includes colour , nationality and ethnic or national origins.
Religion or belief
In the Equality Act, religion includes any religion. It also includes a lack of religion, in other words employees or jobseekers are protected if they do not follow a certain religion or have no religion at all.
Sex
Both men and women are protected under the Act.
Sexual orientation
The Act protects bisexual, gay, heterosexual and lesbian people.
Equality Training
Creating positive environments for everyone
Equality Training
