The Equalities Act 2010 brings together 116 separate pieces of equality legislation into one single act. It makes it easier to understand and easier to respect.
The Equalities Act protects and makes it unlawful to discriminate and treat people unfairly.
It protects people from discrimination on the basis of certain characteristics. These are known as protected characteristics.
Protected characteristics
The Act identifies nine protected characteristics:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion and belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
In York those with protected characteristics are known as Community of Identity.
In York our Community of Identity also covers carers and people living in the most deprived wards.
Download our quick guide to the Equality Act 2010, to find what's new and what's changed at a glance.
Unlawful behaviour
The Equalities Act 2010 identifies unlawful behaviours that discriminate directly or indirectly, harass or victimise another person because they have any of the protected characteristics.
Equality duty
City of York Council must comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty and have due regard to the need to:
- eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited under the Act;
- advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it
- foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
City of York Council under the Equality Act must also publish equality monitoring information about staff and service users.
Further information
For more information on the Equality Act 2010, visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
You can also download our easy read guide available to those using our services.