EHRC publishes its public sector equality duty guidance

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published non statutory guidance explaining what public authorities in England and non-devolved bodies in Scotland and Wales should do to comply with the public sector equality duty.

The duty, part of the Equality Act 2010, comes into force on 6 April 2011. Public authorities will need to consider what they are doing to tackle discrimination, harassment or victimisation as well as advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations between different groups.

As well as gender, the new duty includes age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. It replaces separate duties for disability, gender (including gender identity) and race which were established in legislation which has been superseded by the Equality Act 2010.

The EHRC’s New public sector equality duty guidance is the latest in its series of publications that explain the Equality Act 2010. All EHRC guidance can be found on the EHRC website.

The government has also published the final regulations for the Act including those for the Public Sector Equality Duty. All the final regulations and their consultation report can be found at: www.equalities.gov.uk