The Equality Act 2010 replaced pervious equality legislation with a single act which aims to provide a simpler more effective legal framework to tackle discrimination and disadvantage some of us can face. The Act applies to everyone, both in the public and private sector. It strengthens the law to tackle discrimination on the following characteristics:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Gender Reassignment
- Marriage and Covil partnership
- Pregnancy and Maternity
- Race or Belief
- Religion or Belief
- Sexual Orientation.
Orkney Island Council also considers:
- Socio-economic disadvantage
- Care Experienced
Public Sector Equality Duty
The Equality Act introduced the Public Sector Equality Duty. This duty requires that in carrying out our work we must give due regard to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other unlawful conduct prohibited by the act.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic.
- Foster good relations between different people who share and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic.
