The Equality Act will become law in October 2010. It replaces previous legislation (such as the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) and ensures consistency in what you need to do to make your workplace a fair environment and to comply with the law.

The Equality Act covers the same groups that were protected by existing equality legislation – age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity – but extends some protections to groups not previously covered, and also strengthens particular aspects of equality law.

Acas has worked with the Government Equalities Office and the Equality and Human Rights Commission to produce a quick start guide for employers. This guidance covers the changes coming into effect through the Equality Act 2010 and details how employers can reassess and align their practices to remain compliant.

Download the Acas Quick Start Guide for Employers

What's changing?

• Indirect discrimination
• Associative discrimination
• Perceptive discrimination
• Harassment
• Harassment by a third party
• Victimisation
• Positive action
• Pre-employment health related checks
• Extension of employment tribunal powers
• Equal pay direct discrimination
• Pay secrecy

Source: ACAS