Equality

Alison Ridout

Why should I concern myself with Equality?

Drivers

Legal Business

Moral

Legal Drivers

Even though legislation may not change the heart, it can restrain the heartless

Martin Luther King, 1962

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Legal

JN401727July 2010

Government Equalities Office www.equalities.gov.uk

Our Equality Duties

• To eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation

• To advance equality of opportunity• To foster good relations between people who

share a protected characteristic and those who do not share it

• Applies to clients and staff

Protected Characteristics

• Disability • Gender reassignment • Pregnancy and maternity • Race • Religion or belief • Sex

• Sexual orientation

Definitions• Discrimination – DirectTreats someone less favourably on grounds of protected

characteristics than other persons are or would be treated

• Discrimination – Indirect Applies ‘provision, criterion or practice’ which puts certain groups

at a disadvantage, but is not a proportionate means to achieve a legitimate aim

• VictimisationTreats someone less favourably because they have taken action,

given evidence or alleged discrimination

• HarassmentUnwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating a

person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person

The Law Prohibits

• Direct discrimination• Discrimination by association• Discrimination by perception• Indirect discrimination• Harassment• Victimisation• Discrimination arising from disability• Not making reasonable adjustments

Business

+ Equitable employment is cheaper than employment that leaves staff feeling discriminated, bullied and harassed. This is due to improved work performance, reduced staff turnover and reduced sickness in a fair, open and transparent organisation.

+ Equitable services cost less than services which lead to persistent health and social inequalities, which have a profound impact on the individuals or communities affected and also yield a negative social impact.

Business Drivers

Equality Impact Assessments

• Check all policy and service decisions for negative impacts on people with protected characteristics.

• Where negative impacts are identified, alternative options or mitigating actions must be considered.

Moral Drivers

Respect and Dignity

Commitment to Quality of Care

Compassion

Improving Lives

Working Together for Patients

Everyone Counts

42% of hearing impaired people find it difficult to communicate with NHS staff, and 24% of them miss appointments due to not being able to hear staff call their name and other poor communication.

Moral

Health inequalities

Health inequalities affect people with protected characteristics:

•Coronary heart disease and diabetes among ethnic minority communities •Life expectancy among Gypsy and Traveller communities•Suicide among lesbian and gay communities and men•General ill-health for people with mental health problems and learning disability

A good employer understands that age, disability, gender , race, religion & belief, sexuality and socio-economic status interact with other factors such as housing, education, and the labour market to determine health

Further information

• Equality and Human Rights Commission www.equalityhumanrights.com 0845 604 6610

• Law Centres Federation www.lawcentres.org.uk • Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk • Advice UK www.adviceuk.org.uk • Government Equalities Office

www.equalities.gov.uk • National Council for Voluntary Organisations

www.ncvo-vol.org.uk • Charity Commission for England and Wales

www.charity-commission.gov.uk

What data do I need to collect in order to meet my

legal, business and moral duties for Equality?

Consider

Questions