Rules & Regulations

Discrimination

In this in this topic:

• Discrimination
• Employment
• Customers

Fairness and equality for everyone

In this country, it is unlawful to discriminate against anyone - staff, customers or suppliers - on the grounds of someone's sex, sexual orientation, status as a married person or a civil partner, race, colour, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, or because of a disability, pregnancy or childbirth, or subsequent maternity leave or because they are a member or non-member of a trade union. It is also unlawful to discriminate against part-time workers.

Direct and indirect discrimination

There are a set of anti-discrimination laws and they all have the same two principles underlying them: to allow fairness, equality and access for everyone and to eradicated both direct and indirect discrimination. Direct discrimination is fairly obvious - you can usually see when someone is being actively discriminated against and often it is done knowingly. Indirect discrimination is much less apparent and it is often unintentional, yet it is far more widespread. Indirect discrimination is where a particular group of people are discriminated against because their needs are not taken into consideration and this makes it impossible, unlikely or distressing for them to access products and services or to gain or keep employment.

As a nation, we have become quite familiar with this in respect of some groups, for example disabled customers. It isn't hard to see that a customer in a wheelchair will struggle to access shops and businesses that have steps and different levels but no ramps or lifts. But what about workers who are devout muslims and apply for jobs where there is nowhere for them to ritually wash and pray? Effectively, because of their beliefs, those people cannot work in that place, because no allowance is being made for their genuine needs.

Make changes

In effect (and expressly under the Disability Discrimination Act) the law requires you to make reasonable changes to your working practices and to your premises, in order not to discriminate against someone - staff or customers (or suppliers) - on any grounds. This means doing things which are sensible, fair and within your financial ability in order to let others live and work equally and to practice their religious beliefs or ethnic practices.

Getting more information and help

The following sections cover the main issues with regard to your responsibilities towards staff and customers. The consequences of failing to meet your legal obligations can be very severe, it is your responsibility to make sure you understand and comply with the law. But this isn't the only reason to comply. The anti-discriminatory laws are there to promote understanding, tolerance and consideration and to open up services to the widest possible customer base - a very good moral and an excellent commercial incentive.

There are some very good sources of information:

www.equalityhumanrights.com
The website for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. This non-departmental body (accountable for its public funds but independent of government) replaces the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, and the Disability Rights Commission. The website is an excellent resource full of very readable information and clear guidance for businesses and individuals.

www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk
This is the website of the Government Equality Office, a new office responsible for the government's overall policy and priority on all equality issues.

www.direct.gov.uk
Another very good website for businesses and consumers, providing straightforward advice and direct access to information about government and law in practice.

www.businesslink.gov.uk
As ever, Business Link provides an excellent and informative access point for all issues relating to business.

www.acas.org.uk ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) is also a non-departmental body. It aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. They provide information, advice, and training, and work with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance.

Also in this topic:

• Employment
• Customers