Monday, December 19, 2011

A Guide to Equality and Diversity Law in the UK

By Ruth Williams


Equality and diversity legislation has been enacted in the UK requiring public authorities to promote equality, diversity, and human rights as important values in all aspects of their society. The aim of this legislation is to give individuals the opportunity to reach their potential without being knocked back by discrimination and prejudice.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an advocate for equality and human rights in Britain their aim is to reduce inequality, improve interpersonal relations, encourage and safeguard human rights, and eliminate discrimination.

Many programs can be found in the UK to inform and teach individuals about their legal rights and the enactment of the equality and diversity policies. Programs are internet or software based, presented by equality and human rights organisations, health and welfare groups, and other education establishments. Programs are prepared for one-on-one, group, and self-paced formats. The requirements of the equality and diversity legislation is to promote and encourage equality and diversity in all aspects of daily life.

Within the workplace, equality and diversity legislation requires that inclusive practice is promoted amongst employees. These practices should include the following:

* Consideration should be extended for race equality to end unlawful discrimination, improve equality of opportunity, and promote good social relationships between individuals of different races.

* Consideration must be given for disability equal rights to end illegal discrimination, stop unjust treatment of individuals due to their disability, improve equal opportunity between disabled people and others, be prepared to treat disabled people equally, promote positive perceptions toward disabled people. Employers must also ensure the workplace accessible to all and equipped with the necessary facilities to aid disabled people.

* Consideration must be extended for gender equality to put an end to illegal sex discrimination and unfair treatment, and promote equal opportunity between women and men.

* Regard must be extended to gender reassignment and sexual orientation to ensure individuals are not the target of prejudice by creating awareness through inclusive practice.

* Regard must be extended to age diversity to prevent discrimination and promote equal opportunities regardless of age.

The mission of the Equality and Human Rights Commission is to promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and promote equality across the nine "protected" characteristics - age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership status and pregnancy or maternity. A report in 2010 states that the United Kingdom has made clear progress in dealing with the need to create equality and fairness, but still has a lot of work to do. Their tactics for the future years are to create a better Britain built on principles of fairness and respect, and the elimination of discrimination, to promote better living conditions for all people.




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