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Hold on to your hats... Equality Act definitely coming in!!


 
Following weeks of uncertainty, the government has announced that the first wave of Equality Act implementation will go ahead on 1 October 2010, as originally planned by the previous Labour government.

The coalition government has not yet confirmed whether it will implement the power in section 78 to require larger employers to publish gender pay gap information. A Government Equalities Office spokesperson has said that this issue is still under consideration, and an official announcement will follow.

The coalition government has, however, confirmed that section 77 which renders unenforceable any contractual term that purports to prevent or restrict a person from sharing information about contractual terms with a colleague, in so far as that person seeks to make a relevant pay disclosure, will come into force in October this year. This prevents ‘gagging clauses’ intended to stop staff talking about their pay. 

To support the Act's implementation, the Government Equalities Office (working together with other organisations) has published short explanatory guides. Further guides will follow in the coming months. These can be found on http://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_act_2010/equality_act_2010_what_do_i_n.aspx.

ACAS have also produced a very useful short guide called ‘the Equality Act – What’s new for Employers? This can be found at http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3017.  This says in summary that you should review and change some of your policies and procedures.

Do come along to our workshop on 30 September 2010 to learn more about the Act and what you should be doing. Remember that this change is for all employers large and small. 

If you would like us to undertake an Equality Audit on your business do please contact Claire Knowles of Follett Stock's employment team on 01872 241700.  To download our Equality Audit information sheet please click here.

If you would like to find out more about Follett Stock's Equality Act seminar please email Ellie Yeo.
 

To download a booking form for
Follett Stock's Seminar on the
new Equality Act please click
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