Equality act

Question 1

The Equality act 2010 introduced the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
PSED places certain obligations on public authorities including the police to advance equality and diversity.

What is required of public authorities under PSED? (general duty and specific duty)

Answer 1

General duty (under PSED)

This requires public authorities and any individuals working for them to have regard for the need to:
· Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
· Advance equality of opportunity between different protected characteristic groups
· Foster good relations between different protected characteristic groups

Specific duty (under PSED)

Public authorities are required to demonstrate their compliance with the PSED by:
· Publishing information (at least every year) relating to their employees, and people affected by their policies and practices, who share a protected characteristic
· Preparing and publishing (at least every four years) one or more objectives to further any

Question 2

Protected characteristics (8)

Answer 2

1. Age
2. Disability
3. Gender reassignment
4. Pregnancy and maternity
5. Race (includes ethnic and national origin)
6. Religion or belief (includes philosophical beliefs and the lack of belief)
7. Sex
8. Sexual orientation

• Marriage and civil partnership (only in respect to eliminating unlawful discrimination. Not a protected characteristic covered by the PSED)

Question 3

Positive action

s.158 and s.159 of the Equality Act 2010.

Answer 3

Positive action = steps that an employer can take to encourage people who have a protected characteristic and who:
- Have a record of disadvantage connected to the protected characteristic; or
- Have different needs from those who do not; or
- Have disproportionately low participation in an activity