01 October 2010

Sheffield Embraces the Equality Act

A range of new employment laws were introduced today as the Equality Act 2010 came into force.

The Equality Act harmonises and draws nine separate pieces of legislation (including the Equal Pay Act 1970, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) into a single Act. The protected characteristics now covered by the new Act are age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.

Changes to University procedures have and are being made to ensure compliance with the Act and to embrace and promote its ethos, as Sheffield continues its commitment to being an inclusive employer.

Further details of the legislation can be found at: Key Legislation