Human Resources Division

Public Equality Duties

The Equality Act 2010 broadens the Public Equality Duties to cover all protected groups (except Marriage and Civil Partnership). Section 149 requires public bodies like the University to:

1. Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act.
2. Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
3. Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

In addition to the general duties, specific duties were passed by Parliament in 2011. These require the University to publish evidence of how it has complied with the general duties and to publish Equality Objectives.

• The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011
• Public sector equality duty: specific duties for England by the ECU

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has produced guidance on the new Public Equality Duties. These relate to:

1. The essential guide to the public sector equality duty
2. Meeting the equality duty in policy and decision-making
3. Engagement and the equality duty. A guide for public authorities
4. Equality objectives and the equality duty. A guide for public authorities
5. Equality information and the equality duty. A guide for public authorities