The General Equality Duty

The Equality Act (2010) places a general duty on all public sector organisations to have due regard to the need to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

The Act explains that having due regard for advancing equality involves:

• Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics.
• Taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.
• Encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.

Meeting the General Duty

The University must demonstrate how it meets the general duty, in relation to each of the protected characteristics, in all its functions, including:

• Employment
• Education
• Provision of facilities, goods and services