Equality Legislation UK

The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation believes that in order to achieve our goal to live in a world rid of social injustice, it is vital for everyone to be educated and informed of their human rights that are protected by the UK Equality Act 2010.

The Act protects people against discrimination, harassment or victimisation in employment, and as users of private and public services based on nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

The Equality Act 2010 outlines the three aims of the general duty to have due regard for Equality, across all organisations:

1. Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act
2010.

2. Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not
share it.

3. Foster good relations across all protected characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

Specifically, due regard is to be given within organisational life in order to:

1. Remove or minimise disadvantages.
2. Take steps to meet different needs.
3. Encourage participation when it is disproportionately low.

Discrimination: Making a complaint

Before the Act came into force there were several pieces of legislation to cover discrimination, including:

Sex Discrimination Act 1975
Race Relations Act 1976
Disability Discrimination Act 1995

If you wish to complain about possible unlawful treatment there are 2 separate processes, depending on when it happened. (Refer to link below)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance

The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation strongly urges everyone to familiarise with the Equality Act 2010, because together we can take greater steps towards a progressive reality where all lives are seen equally and the doors to a prosperous life are open to all individuals.