The Equality Act 2010 What the new Act means for you

1/30/20142 Contents 1. Purpose of the Act 2. What does this mean for society? 3. Overview of sectors covered by the Act 4. Protected Characteristics 5. Prohibited Conduct 6. Other Key provisions 7. Timescales 8. Codes and Guidance 9. Further information

1/30/20143 Purpose of the Act Strengthening, harmonising and streamlining 40 years of equalities legislation: Strengthening: improving the effectiveness of equality legislation Harmonising: providing the same levels of protection from discrimination across all the protected characteristics and all sectors, where appropriate Streamlining: simplifying and consolidating approximately 116 pieces of separate equality legislation

1/30/20144 Protected Characteristics 1.Age 2.Disability 3.Gender reassignment 4.Marriage and civil partnership 5. Pregnancy and maternity 6. Race 7. Religion and belief 8. Sex 9. Sexual orientation

1/30/20145 Where does the Act apply? Services and Public Functions Premises Work Education Associations, including Political Parties

1/30/20146 So, what does this mean for society? Here are four examples: 1.Extending the equality duty to require the public sector to take into account the needs of all protected groups (except marital and civil partnership status). 2. Protecting disabled people from potentially discriminatory questions in the recruitment process. 3. Protecting carers from discrimination. 4. Protecting pregnant women and mothers from discrimination when using services etc.

1/30/20147 Prohibited Conduct 1.Direct discrimination, including by association and perception. 2.Indirect discrimination – now covers all characteristics. 3. Pregnancy and maternity discrimination.

1/30/20148 Prohibited conduct 1.Harassment. 2. Third party harassment. 3. Discrimination arising from disability. 4. Duty to make reasonable adjustments.

1/30/20149 Other Key Provisions Public Sector Equality Duty to have due regard to the need to: Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation Advance Equality of Opportunity Foster good relations Positive Action provisions permits proportionate action to overcome disadvantage, meet needs and tackle under representation.

1/30/ Timescales October 2010: The majority of the Acts provisions come into f force on 1 October April 2011: Public Sector Equality Duty 10 September 2011: Specific Duties in England. 2013: Gender pay gap regulations (awaiting government clarification) and political parties publishing diversity data.

1/30/ Statutory Codes October 2010: Employment; Services, Public Functions and Associations; and Equal Pay. October 2010: Further and Higher Education and Schools 5 April 2011:Public Sector Equality DutyPublic Sector Equality Duty Under discussion: Housing and Premises; Transport.

1/30/ EHRC Non Statutory Guidance July 2010 : Employment; Services; Education. tbc 2011: Public Sector Equality Duty.

1/30/ How do I find out more? Visit for the Commissions guidance and starter kit live from 1 st October You can also contact with any For general questions you can call the Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline: England: ~ Scotland: ~ Wales:

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