Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act went live in October 2010 pulling together all previous equality legislation into one Act.  Previous legislation covered: disability, gender and race but the new Act identifies nine protected characteristics:

The Act requires that a disabled person's disability be considered

Disability covers many different physical, mental and emotional conditions.  Every disability has different adaptations and support requirements to ensure fair access.

The Act explains what is unlawful. It also explains what can be done legally to promote equality of opportunity and address under-representation.

There are also sections covering:

• Ships, hovercraft and offshore work
• Premises – leasehold and commonhold, disposal and management of; reasonable adjustments to let properties
• Employees – applicants, contract workers, personal and public office, trade organisations, employment services
• Partnerships
• Pension schemes
• Vehicles - taxis both private hire and hackney carriage and public service vehicles
• Procurement (buying)

Details of the rights and protections afforded to protected characteristics can be found by selecting the relevant Equality Human Rights Commission Statutory Code of Practice below.

Statutory Code of Practice (Services, public functions & Associations)

Statutory Code of Practice  (Employment)

Statutory Code of Practice (Equal Pay)

Next: Public Sector Equality Duty

• Equality & Diversity
• Equality Act 2010
• Public Sector Equality Duty
• Specific Duties
• Publications

Clerk to the Equality Group

Claire Grant

claire.grant@thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577909