Over the course of the last forty years, new legislation has extended the rights to equal access and treatment and protection from harassment and discrimination to a wider diversity of groups of people in society. Current legislation covers protection and non-discrimination for persons defined by age, disability, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation and race.
Disability
A disabled person (physical or mental impairment) has rights to fair and equal access to public services, employment, education, health treatment, goods and services and other general facilities and provisions enjoyed by ordinary members of society. Employers, private companies and public service providers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure equal access and equal opportunity for persons with a disability. Public bodies have a positive duty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled workers and service users. They must follow an agreed DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME to achieve this.
Legislation:
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995 & 2005
- Disability Discrimination Act 2005
- Equality Act 2006
Age
Age discrimination against elderly, the young or persons of any particular age group is forbidden in employment and vocational training.
Legislation:
- Employment Equality (Age) Regulation 2006
Race
Racial groups are protected from discrimination and harassment in employment, education, health services, goods and services, public services and other general facilities and provisions enjoyed by ordinary members of society. Public bodies providing a public function have a duty to provide equal opportunities and good race relations between their employees and their users. They have to follow an agreed RACE EQUALITY SCHEME which defines positive actions they must take to achieve this.
Legislation:
- Race Relations Act 1976
- Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
- Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulation 2003
Gender
Women, men and transgender persons are protected from discrimination in public services, employment, housing, employment, leisure and sports, goods and services, policing and other general facilities and provisions enjoyed by members of society. Public bodies have a positive duty to promote equality between different sexes, and must follow an agreed GENDER EQUALITY SCHEME to achieve this.
Legislation:
- Equal Pay Act 1970
- Sex Discrimination Act
- Work and Families Act 2006
- Equality Act 2006
Sexual Orientation
Persons who are homosexual, transexual or transgender are protected from discrimination in public services, employment, housing, employment, leisure and sports, goods and services, policing and other general facilities and provisions enjoyed by members of society.
Legislation:
- Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999
- Employment Equality (Sex Discrimination) Regulations 2005
- Gender Recognition Act 2004
- Civil Partnerships Act 2004
- Equality Act 2006
Religion or Belief
Any person who has a particular religion or belief is protected from discrimination in employment, education, shops, sports, leisure, health services, housing, policing and general public services.
Legislation:
- Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulation 2003
- Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006
- Equality Act 2006