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ARTICLE · 09 SEPTEMBER 2010

Equality Act Restriction On Services - A Disservice To Charities?

MacRoberts
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The Equality Act 2010 ('the Act') consolidates anti-discrimination legislation into one document. Its purpose is to 'rationalise' and 'strengthen' existing equality legislation which it aims to do by creating 9 "protected characteristics":

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Katy Wedderburn
Katy Wedderburn
Valerie Surgenor
Valerie Surgenor
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The Equality Act 2010 ('the Act') consolidates anti-discrimination legislation into one document. Its purpose is to 'rationalise' and 'strengthen' existing equality legislation which it aims to do by creating 9 "protected characteristics":

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender - reassignment
  • Race
  • Religion or Belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Marriage & Civil Partnership
  • Pregnancy and Maternity

 The Act makes discrimination unlawful and applies to all organisations that provide a service to any part of the public. It also applies to anyone who sells goods or provides facilities. The Government Equalities Office guidance confirms that this will include "community centres, information and advice agencies, charity shops, sports clubs, internet based services, residential care homes, day care centres and private clubs and other associations with 25 or more members."

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