Civilian Law Military Law and Codes - Civilian Law
| Article Index |
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| Equality Act 2010 Explained |
| Definitions of Types of Discrimination |
| Summary of Protection for LGBT Individuals |
| Specific Application to HM Armed Forces |
| Further Reading |
| All Pages |
The Equality Act 2010 entered force in Oct 10, harmonising and replacing previous legislation (such as the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) and ensures consistency in what employers need to do to make the workplace a fair environment and to comply with the law.
The Equality Act covers the same groups that were protected by existing equality legislation: age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity. These are now known as ‘protected characteristics’ (PC).
The Act extends some protections to characteristics that were not previously covered, and also strengthens particular aspects of equality law.
| Types of discrimination covered by the Act | Sexual Orientation |
Marriage & Civil Partnership |
Gender Reassignment |
| Direct Discrimination Someone is treated less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic (PC) |
Already covered |
Already covered |
Already covered |
| Discrimination by Association Direct discrimination against someone because they associate with another person who possesses a PC |
Already covered |
Still not covered |
New cover |
| Discrimination by Perception Direct discrimination against someone because the others think they possess a particular PC |
Already covered |
Still not covered |
New cover |
| Indirect Discrimination Can occur when a rule or policy applies to everyone but disadvantages a particular PC |
Already covered |
Already covered |
New cover |
| Harassment Employees can now complain of behaviour they find offensive even if it is not directed at them |
Changes | Still not covered |
Changes |
| Harassment by a Third Party Employers are potentially liable for harassment of their staff by people they don’t employ |
New cover |
Still not covered |
New cover |
| Victimisation Someone is treated badly because they have made/ supported a complaint or grievance under the Act |
Changes | Changes | Changes |
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