Commentary and insights

All items: Equality, diversity and human rights

  • Climate change protests: Five concerns for employers

    Date:
    28 October 2019

    Widespread environmental protests, such as the Extinction Rebellion, are having an increasing everyday impact on employers. We round up potential issues for HR professionals who are dealing with disruption to their employer's operations as a result of climate change protests.

  • Reasonable adjustments for disabilities: Seven examples for employers

    Date:
    17 September 2019

    The Equality Act 2010 imposes a positive obligation on employers to make reasonable adjustments that will assist disabled individuals. While employers may be familiar with the duty, sometimes it is not straightforward deciding what is "reasonable". We explore some of the key factors as we look at seven situations where adjustments were found to be reasonable.

  • "Something arising" from disability - the stretchiest words of the Equality Act 2010

    Date:
    21 August 2019

    The protection against discrimination arising from disability under s.15 of the Equality Act 2010 is framed to give HR sleepless nights. Jason Braier explains why as he looks at how the courts and tribunals are construing "something arising".

  • Menopause support in the police sector

    Date:
    31 July 2019

    We look at how the menopause can affect women working in the police sector and some of the initiatives that are being taken to support them.

  • Associative discrimination: Four scenarios for employers to look out for

    Date:
    26 June 2019

    The wording of the Equality Act 2010 means that employers can be liable for "associative discrimination", which is sometimes referred to as "discrimination by association". We explain the concept and set out four example scenarios that HR professionals, line managers and employees should avoid because they might lead to claims of associative discrimination.

  • Perceptive discrimination: Four scenarios for employers to avoid

    Date:
    26 June 2019

    The way in which the Equality Act 2010 is drafted means that employers can be liable for "perceptive discrimination", which is sometimes referred to as "discrimination by perception". We explain what this means and set out four example scenarios that HR professionals, line managers and employees should avoid because they might lead to perceptive discrimination claims.

  • No requirement to match enhanced maternity pay with enhanced shared parental leave pay

    Date:
    25 June 2019

    Consultant editor Darren Newman examines the recent Court of Appeal decision that puts paid - for now at least - to the argument that employers that offer enhanced maternity pay must offer the equivalent for employees on shared parental leave.

  • Menstruation: Is period pain a disability?

    Date:
    12 April 2019

    Many men and women still view menstruation as a taboo topic and feel uncomfortable talking about periods, even though they affect 51% of the UK population at some point in their life. Natalie Taylor looks at whether period pain can constitute a disability and at ways employers can support women with more severe symptoms.

  • Positive action in recruitment: Cost of getting it wrong

    Date:
    11 April 2019

    While positive action in recruitment is laudable, and to be encouraged as a means of overcoming disadvantage and low participation, employers need to think very carefully about how they go about it, because if they make mistakes the cost may be high. Jason Braier explains why.

  • What do workforce equality standards mean for NHS employers?

    Date:
    25 February 2019

    Equality is high on the agenda of most NHS employers. As well as being subject to the gender pay gap reporting regime, NHS employers are required to comply with an equality standard in relation to race, and from April 2019 will be required to comply with a standard on disability. Nicky Green from law firm Capsticks explores what the standards mean for NHS employers.

About this category

Commentary and insights: HR and legal information and guidance relating to equality, diversity and human rights.