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Key facts and statistics
- Establishment - The EHRC was established in 2007, merging three previous bodies: the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, and the Disability Rights Commission.
- Scope - The EHRC covers various areas, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
- Investigations - The EHRC can conduct formal investigations, issue compliance notices, and take legal action against organisations that breach equality and human rights laws.
- Impact - According to the EHRC's 2020/21 report, its legal interventions have benefitted over 60,000 people, highlighting the commission's significant impact on promoting equality and protecting human rights.
Key definitions
- Equality - Means ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents. It involves removing barriers and supporting individuals to help them succeed, regardless of their background or characteristics.
- Human rights - These are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to everyone, from birth until death. They apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe, or how you live.
- Discrimination - occurs when one person is treated less favourably than another because of a protected characteristic. It can include direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
Relevant legislation and regulations
Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 is a key piece of legislation the EHRC enforces. It brings together over 116 pieces of legislation into one single Act, providing a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all.
Human Rights Act 1998
The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. It ensures that individuals' rights are upheld by public authorities and provides a mechanism for legal redress if these rights are violated.
Recommended best practices for implementation
Conduct regular training
Providing regular training on equality and human rights is essential for all staff members. This ensures everyone understands their responsibilities and the importance of creating an inclusive environment. Training should cover key topics such as unconscious bias, anti-discrimination policies, and effective handling of complaints.
Develop and enforce policies
Organisations should develop comprehensive policies that promote equality and prevent discrimination. These policies should be clearly communicated to all staff and regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective. Key policies include equal opportunities, anti-harassment, and diversity and inclusion policies.
Monitor and evaluate
It is crucial to monitor and evaluate organisational practices and outcomes regularly. This can involve collecting and analysing data on workforce diversity, conducting employee surveys, and reviewing complaints and incidents. Monitoring helps identify areas for improvement and measure progress over time.
Foster an inclusive culture
Creating an inclusive culture involves promoting respect, fairness, and openness. Organisations can achieve this by encouraging diverse perspectives, recognising and celebrating differences, and supporting employees from diverse backgrounds.
Ensure accessibility
Ensuring that workplaces are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, is a legal requirement and a best practice. This includes making reasonable adjustments to physical spaces, providing accessible communication methods, and offering flexible working arrangements.
Recommendations
Organisations can benefit from using ComplyPlus™ legislation and regulatory compliance management software to implement these best practices effectively. ComplyPlus™ offers a comprehensive solution for compliance with equality and human rights laws, providing tools for policy development, training, monitoring, and reporting.
Conclusion
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is vital in promoting equality and protecting human rights in the UK. By understanding the EHRC's role, relevant legislation, and best practices, organisations can ensure compliance and create inclusive environments where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Click here for more information on how to comply with equality and human rights laws and to access training and compliance tools. Together, we can build a fairer, more inclusive society.
About the author
Dr Richard Dune
With over 20 years of experience, Richard blends a rich background in NHS, the private sector, academia, and research settings. His forte lies in clinical R&D, advancing healthcare tech, workforce development and governance. His leadership ensures regulatory compliance and innovation align seamlessly.
