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What is equality and diversity?

When we talk about equality we are talking about providing equal opportunities to everyone and ensuring that everyone is protected from being discriminated against, especially if they have a protected characteristic.

Diversity is when we both recognise and respect how everyone is different, and we work hard to ensure that we value these differences.

The Law: Legislation and Regulation

To ensure that those who require protection there have been several regulations and pieces of legislation created. This ensures that no matter who you are, what race you are, or any other key feature that relates to you, you will be able to feel safe and valued too.

Here is some more information about the main pieces that relate to equality and diversity.

Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011

This particular act outlines specific duties that public bodies have within equality. They are required to publish information that shows how they comply with their duty, and this has to be at least once a year.

They must also publish their objectives when it comes to equality, at least once every four years.

It is vital that this information is not only published but that it is published in a way that ensures that everyone can access it.

The Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 is there to ensure that those who work with vulnerable adults understand how to protect those adults. Within the legislation, 6 key principles have to be followed.

This includes:

Empowerment
Prevention
Proportionality
Protection
Partnership
Accountability

The Human Rights Act 1998

The main focus of this particular Act was to ensure that everyone is treated in a way that is dignified and respectful. This is not only in their own right, but also as a group too. Everyone should be treated in a way that is going to improve and maintain their quality of life and ensure that they feel that they are being treated in the right way.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005

This particular Act is focused on those who are vulnerable and how this applies to their decision-making. It ensures that every adult, no matter their disability or mental capacity, is encouraged to make their own decisions as much as they can. However, if they cannot those who are responsible for them should help them to make their decision too.

The Equality Act: Protects People Against
(bullets)

There are several things that the Equality Act is there to protect people against. These include:

Age

No one should be treated in a certain way just because they are considered to be old or young. They should all be given the same chances and opportunities as those of different ages to them.

Disability

It is important that those who are disabled, whether physically or mentally, are treated in a way that is fair and equal. They should feel able to achieve things in their life, so long as they have the right level of support to enable them to do this.

Gender reassignment

If someone has had their gender reassigned then they should be recognised and referred to as the gender that they have chosen. They should be considered for roles that others of their chosen gender would be, without any prejudice or judgement.

Marriage and civil partnership

Those who are married and who are in civil partnerships will be seen as equal and they will not be treated any differently to one another, or those who are not married.

Pregnancy and maternity

Those who are pregnant should be treated respectfully. They should be able to access the same opportunities as those who are not pregnant and should be considered for roles and work opportunities even if they are on maternity.

Race

Everyone should be treated in a way that is equal regardless of their race or ethnicity. This is in everyday life as well as their career and work opportunities too.

Religion or belief

No matter the religion that someone chooses to have, or their belief; they should be respected and valued in the same way.

Sex

Everyone should be treated in an equal way, regardless of the gender that they identify with. Women and men should be given the same chances to achieve their true potential.

Sexual orientation

Everyone must be treated in a way that is equal no matter the sexuality that they identify with and who they choose to love and have relationships.

Equality, diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

There are lots of places where equality and diversity are important and one example of this is within the workplace. Without both equality and diversity, we would not have a culturally rich and diverse workforce and we would have pockets of the population who simply cannot access key opportunities that are open to them.

There are lots of different ways that we can try to approach equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. However, one of the main things to focus on is to make sure that everyone is respected and treated in a fair way and that value what they can bring to those around them.

Examples of equality and diversity in the workplace

If you are a business owner or manager, then you are going to want to make sure that you know how best to ensure that your workplace is as equal and diverse as possible. To help you to identify this, we have put together some of the best examples of both equality and diversity in the workplace.

Equal employment access

This means that everyone can access the same job opportunities in the application stages, as one another. They should feel that their job application considerations should be equal and that they should be treated fairly, particularly if they have a protected characteristic.

Equal job opportunities

Everyone should be able to feel that they are given the same job opportunities for work as everyone else. They should be able to be considered for roles that are appropriate for them and feel that they can progress through their career as much as those who do not have the same protected characteristics as them.

Equality for disabled people

Every employer must ensure that they take steps to prevent discrimination against those who are disabled. They must also make sure that they make reasonable adjustments for those who are disabled and already working for them, or who have chosen to apply for jobs within their workplace.

Fairness for employees

Within the Equality Act, every single employee should be treated in a way that is fair and that they are valued and respected for who they are and what they bring.

Income equality

Income should be equal and fair no matter the person if their experience is comparable to others in the workplace. No one should be given a lower wage because of a protected characteristic.

LGBTQ+ equality

It is vitally important that no one is treated unfairly in their workplace because of who they are and who they chose to love. They should be respected and feel that they are a key part of their team and workplace.

Racial equality

Every single person should be treated fairly in the workplace regardless of their race. They should feel represented and valued and that they are considered for job roles and opportunities.

Religious equality

No one should feel that they are judged within their workplace because of their religion. They should be able to grow and move through their business. They should also have reasonable adjustments made for them that help them with certain religious celebrations that relate to their own chosen religious belief.

Equality and Diversity: Business Legal Obligations

Businesses have a legal obligation to ensure that they do not discriminate against adults in their workplace. They should also ensure that they are not treating anyone unfairly and that everyone who has a protected characteristic within their workforce is protected.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The Public Sector Equality Duty is there to ensure that all the public authorities think about how their key policies and decision-making process are going to impact and affect those who are protected under the Equality Act.

It is important to recognise that private organisations and individuals do not have to comply with this duty.

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