Equal opportunities policy guidance notes

Legal framework

The law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace is principally governed by the Equality Act 2010, which received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010 and the majority of its provisions came into force on 1 October 2010. The Equality Act consolidates the numerous pieces of legislation that had been developed since the 1970s and seeks to adopt a single approach where appropriate. It also strengthens the law in certain areas. 

The following have all been repealed and replaced by the Equality Act 2010:

• Equal Pay Act(1970)
• Sex Discrimination Act (1975)
• Race Relations Act (1976)
• Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
• The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations (2003)
• The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (2003)
• Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (2006)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (the EHRC) is an independent statutory body whose principle aims are to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights. The ECHR has produced statutory Codes of Practice on meeting the legal obligations under the Equality Act in each of the following areas:

• Employment
• Equal pay, and
• Services, Public Functions and Associations