REC Project Resource Page

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The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.  

It replaced previous anti-discrimination laws with a single Act, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection in some situations. 

It sets out the different ways in which it’s unlawful to treat someone.

Equality Act provisions which came into force on 1 October 2010:

• the basic framework of protection against direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation in services and public functions, premi, work, education, associations and transport
• changing the definition of gender reassignment, by removing the requirement for medical supervision
• providing protection for people discriminated against because they are perceived to have, or are associated with someone who has, a protected characteristic
• clearer protection for breastfeeding mothers
• applying a uniform definition of indirect discrimination to all protected characteristics
• harmonising provisions allowing voluntary positive action

A workplace encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion can help:

• make it more successful
• keep employees happy and motivated
• prevent serious or legal issues arising, such as bullying, harassment and discrimination
• to better serve a diverse range of customers
• improve ideas and problem-solving
• attract and keep good staff

Promoting and supporting diversity in the workplace is an important aspect of good people management - it’s about valuing everyone in the organisation as an individual. 

However, to reap the benefits of a diverse workforce it’s vital to have an inclusive environment where everyone feels able to participate and achieve their potential. 

While UK legislation – covering age, disability, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation among others – sets minimum standards, an effective inclusion and diversity strategy goes beyond legal compliance and seeks to add value to an organisation, contributing to employee wellbeing and engagement.

PENDING Senate

This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. 

Specifically, the bill defines and includes sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation.

Freedom and equality are fundamental American values. But today, millions of Americans lack basic non-discrimination protections just because of who they are or whom they love. 

President Biden believes that every American must be able to live freely, openly, and safely. That’s why he continues to call on the Senate to swiftly pass the Equality Act, legislation which will provide long overdue federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ Americans and their families, 

while strengthening some key civil rights laws for people of color, women, people with disabilities, and people of faith.

Although the titles address discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, orsex, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was principally a legislative response to ongoing and pervasive conditions of racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. Such conditions included the enforced exclusion of black citizens from a host of services and establishments affecting much of daily life: 

public libraries, public parks and recreation systems, public schools and colleges, restaurants, hotels, businesses, performance halls, hospitals and medical facilities, and any other setting designated as “white-only.” Legislative history reflects that Titles II,

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, comprised of eleven titles and numerous sections, has been called the “most comprehensive undertaking” to prevent and address discrimination in a wide range of contexts.

President Biden believes that every American must be able to live freely, openly, and safely. That’s why he continues to call on the Senate to swiftly pass the Equality Act, legislation which will provide long overdue federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ Americans and their families.