Equality Act guide

Significant changes to discrimination law were made when the Equality Act 2010 came into force on 1 October 2010. A new guide from the Labour Research Department (LRD) — Discrimination at work — a guide to the Equality Act 2010 —explains the changes.

New harmonised definitions of discrimination apply to the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital/civil partnership status, race, religion/belief, sex and sexual orientation came in with the act. In particular, the definition of direct discrimination is now where someone suffers less favourable treatment because of a protected characteristic.

The Act notably strengthens the rights of the disabled. In addition to the duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments, as well as concepts of direct and indirect discrimination, there is a new offence of “discrimination arising from disability”. Protection against victimisation and harassment is extended and, in particular, third party harassment is outlawed.

Discrimination at work - a guide to the Equality Act 2010, £6.05 a copy including postage from Labour Research Department, 78 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HF.

www.lrdpublications.org.uk/publications.php?pub=BK&iss=1540