Public sector to have duty to promote gender equality

The Government has set out its proposals for the introduction of a duty on public sector bodies to promote gender equality, including implementing specific equality goals and publishing an equal pay policy statement.

The new duty, to be introduced through the Equality Bill, will require public sector bodies to:

  • draw up a scheme identifying gender equality goals; show the action it will take to implement them; monitor progress, including publishing an annual report; and review the scheme every three years;

  • develop, publish and regularly review a policy on equal pay arrangements, including measures to ensure fair promotion, development opportunities, and tackle occupational segregation; and

  • assess the impact of new legislation, and changes to policies, employment and service delivery.

    Public sector bodies are already under a duty to promote race equality and a duty to promote equality for the disabled is to be introduced in December 2006.

    The deadline for responses to the consultation is 12 January 2006.

  • Advancing equality for men and women: Government proposals to introduce a public sector duty to promote gender equality (PDF format, 2MB)   Read the full text of the consultation paper on the Women and Equality Unit website.

  • Easy Read version (PDF format, 1.5MB)   The Women and Equality Unit website provides a summary of the main proposals.

  • Public sector to have duty to promote gender equality and Consultation on gender equality   Personneltoday.com and IRS Employment Review report.

  • EOC welcomes the DTI consultation on the new gender equality duty   The Equal Opportunities Commission website gives its reaction to the proposals.

    Also

    Equality Bill reintroduced   The government has reintroduced the Equality Bill, establishing a Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

    New equality law: a guide   Personnel Today Management Resources one stop guide provides detailed information on developments in equality legislation.

    Sex discrimination   XpertHR's employment law reference manual offers guidance on sex discrimination.