The Single Equality Act
The Equality Bill was published on 27 April and sets out new
laws which aim to help narrow the gap between rich and poor and
create a more equal society in this country.
The Bill will simplify the law which, over the last four
decades, has become complex and difficult to navigate. Nine major
pieces of legislation and around 100 other measures will be
replaced by a single Act written in plain English to make it easier
for individuals and employers to understand their legal rights and
obligations. The Bill is expected to come in to force from autumn
2010.
The Equality Bill measures include:
- Introducing a new public sector duty to consider reducing
socio-economic inequalities;
- Putting a new Equality Duty on public bodies;
- Using public procurement to improve equality;
- Banning age discrimination outside the workplace;
- Introducing gender pay reports in 2013 if employers with over
250 employees do not take action by then;
- Extending the scope to use positive action;
- Strengthening the powers of employment tribunals;
- Protecting carers from discrimination;
- Offering new mothers stronger protection when
breastfeeding;
- Banning discrimination in private clubs; and
- Strengthening protection from discrimination for disabled
people.
For more information about the Equality Bill see the Government
Equality Office website - http://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_bill.aspx
A
Unite Guide on negotiating on the is available
here or from your Regional Office.
Email to a friend
Want to share this story? These sites allow you to tag and share links across the internet enabling you to share these links with friends and people with similar interests. You can also access your links from any computer you happen to be using.
