Equality Law

Equality Act 2010

(Applies in England, Scotland and Wales)

Protected characteristic

Religion or belief is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

Protection and functions

Protection is provided against discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of religion or belief and applies to employment, education, the provision of goods, facilities and services, the management of premises and the exercise of public functions.

This means protection related to religion or belief for people seeking work, current and former employees in terms of

• Job recruitment
• Access to benefits and services
• Treatment they receive

This means protection related to religion or belief for enquirers, current and past students in terms of

• Student registration
• Access to benefits and services
• Treatment they receive

Public sector equality duty

Religion or belief is included in the public sector duty under the Equality Act 2010 which means we have to have due regard to the need to:

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

Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998

Applies in Northern Ireland

This law prohibits discrimination and harassment on the grounds of religious belief and applies to the fields of employment, higher education and goods, facilities and services.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998

(Applies in Northern Ireland)

The protected characteristic of religious belief is subject to the duty placed on public authorities (which includes the OU) to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity:

• Between persons of different age, religious belief, political opinion, racial group, marital status or sexual orientation.
• Between men and women generally.
• Between persons with a disability and persons without.
• Between persons with dependants and persons without.

This entails more than the elimination of discrimination and requires proactive measures to be taken to ensure equality for people of different racial groups in our policies and decision-making.

In addition, public authorities have a duty to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between people of religious belief, political opinion or racial group.