Equalities Act (2010)

The Equality Act (2010) came into force on 1st October 2010. The purpose of the Act is:

  • To improve the effectiveness of equality legislation
  • To provide the same level of protection from discrimination across all the protected characteristics and all sectors, where appropriate
  • To simplify and consolidate approximately 116 pieces of separate equality legislation

The Equality Act is designed to ensure that everyone has the right to be treated fairly at work or when using services. It protects people from discrimination on the basis of certain characteristics. These are known as ‘protected characteristics’.

There are nine protected characteristics covered by the Act. These are:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership (but only in respect of eliminating unlawful discrimination)
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race- this includes ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality
  • Religion or belief this includes lack of belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation

Under the Equality Act 2010 NHS organisations also have a general public sector equality duty to ensure that due regard is given to the need to:

  • Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
  • Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not

The specific duties require public bodies to:

  • Publish information to show their compliance with the Equality Act, at least annually (by 31st January 2012 in the first instance) Click here to see our Equality Evidence page.
  • Set and publish equality objectives, at least every four years (by 6 April 2012)

For more information:

www.equalities.gov.uk/equalities act_2010

www.equalityhumanrights.com

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Tel. 0845 604 6610