the purpose of current equality and diversity legislation and the protected characteristics

Question 1

what is the human rights act 1998

Answer 1

identifies fundamental freedoms and rights to which everyone is entitled. these are reffered to as the ‘convention rights and freedoms’.

Question 2

what is the equality act 2010

Answer 2

Protecting the rights of everyone against discrimination. It applies to everyone while at work and when impacted by the work of others.

Question 3

what locations and situations does the equality act offer protection from discrimination

Answer 3

• the workplace
• when using public services like healthcare or education
• when using businesses and other organisations that provide services and goods
• using transport
• joining a club or assosiation
• when having contact with public bodies

Question 4

who does the equality act 2010 place responsibility on

Answer 4

Everyone, including organisations and businesses, not to discriminate, the main responsibility is on the employer. This is both intended and unintended treatment.
Individuals are responsible for their own actions.

Also places responsibility on public bodies to consider how their actions affect groups of people.

Question 5

what is equality

Answer 5

Providing the same oppurtunities to everyone by removing barriers to success and not unfairly providing an individual with less favourable treatment in comparison to others

Question 6

what is discrimination

Answer 6

disadvantaging an individual by offering them less favourable treatment in comparison to others; the treatment does not have to be intentional or deliberate action.

Question 6

what is protected characterisitics

Answer 6

a trait assosiated with an individual which it is illegal to discriminate against

Question 6

vicarious liability

Answer 6

when someone such as an employer or organisation is held responsible for unlawful acts or conduct of its employees or someone acting on its behalf

Question 7

what is the employment rights act 1996

Answer 7

Covers employer-employee relationship. Regards equality within the workplace, it gives an employee a number of rights

Question 8

what rights does the employment rigths act 1996 give employees

Answer 8

• the right not to be unfairly dismissed
• the right to request flexible working
• the right to maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• the right to take time off to care for dependents, attend antenatal or adoption appointments and perform employee representive duties

Question 9

what is the Trade union and labour relations (consolidation) act 1992

Answer 9

protects anyone taking part in lawful industrial ation from being unfairly dissmissed. it also provides protection for employees taking part in trade union activities from discrimination