Consultation commences on equality forms
The Government
Equalities Office (GEO) has started a consultation exercise on the new
streamlined equality forms and guidance which are to replace questionnaires in
discrimination and equal pay claims, when the employment provisions of the
Equality Act 2010 come into force later this year.
Discrimination law
currently provides a process for a person who thinks that he or she may have
been unlawfully discriminated against, or who is not receiving equal pay, to
obtain information from the person they think has acted unlawfully against
them. The process allows an employee to request information before deciding
whether to present a claim to an employment tribunal.
One of the ways in
which the Equality Act 2010 streamlines discrimination law is by replacing a
series of nine individual questionnaires about possible discrimination, with a
single set of paperwork (guidance and forms) for all types of discrimination.
There will also be new guidance and forms for equality of terms (equal pay)
issues.
The GEO is currently
consulting on the draft paperwork for obtaining information about potential
discrimination and equality of term cases under the new provision of the Act.
The new paperwork will come into use when the Act’s employment provisions come
into force in October.
July 2010
This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.
