subject: Understanding The Equality Act 2010 [print this page] The Equality Act 2010 will provide a modern and accessible framework that outlines the law with regards to discrimination in the workplace and elsewhere. Under this new act, the same groups that have been protected by previous and existing legislation are still covered, meaning that there is still protection against discrimination based on age, sex, gender reassignment, disability, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and marriage or civil partnership status. The Equality Act 2010 will replace some previous legislation, such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Race Relations Act 1976 in order to combine the current and new legislation into one single act.
As a result of this act's implementation, there are several instances where rights and responsibilities given to workers and employers have changed, stayed the same or been extended. There are also some new rights and responsibilities that have been introduced for the first time, which is one of the main reasons employers should study the act closely in order to ensure their workplaces comply with the rules laid out within the act in its entirety. It may be wise to attend a training course on the new act, which can be attended at various locations around the country in order to familiarise yourself completely with the new legislation, as well as have any questions or issues you may have answered to improve your understanding. The act consists of 16 parts and 28 schedules, so a training course will certainly make it easier for employers to fully understand all of the act.
It is hoped that the new equality Act will provide an up-to-date, simpler and more effective framework for individuals and organisations to understand discrimination and equality. Since most of the focuses of the Equality Act 2010 have already been previously addressed, the Act will not change the law in this regard, however it is hoped that combining the previous acts into one piece of legislation will speed up the effects that were previously not achieved at their desired impact. The Act aims to harmonise discrimination law, whilst strengthening the law to support progress on equality
