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Resource
Centre > Legal requirements
Statement of Employment Law in England and
European Union
In UK new legislation on employment
equality and diversity has been recently introduced. The Employment
Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 and the Employment
Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 are a major step forward
in tackling unfair discrimination in the UK.
The Regulations implement strands of two
European Employment Directives (Council Directive 2000/78/EC – Council
Directive 2000/43/EC) that outlaw discrimination on grounds of sexual
orientation, religion or belief, disability and age in employment and
vocational training.
The EU Employment Equality Directive
2000/78/EC at glance
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Implements the principle of equal treatment in employment and
training irrespective of religion or belief, sexual orientation
and age in employment and training |
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Includes identical provisions to the Racial Equality Directive
on definitions of discrimination, rights of legal redress and
the sharing of the burden of proof |
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Requires employers to make reasonable accommodation to cater for
the needs of a person with a disability who is qualified to do
the job in question |
The EU Racial Equality Directive
2000/43/EC at glance
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Implements the principle of equal treatment between people
irrespective of racial or ethnic origin |
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Gives
protection against discrimination in employment and training,
education, social security, healthcare and access to goods and
services |
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Contains definitions of direct and indirect discrimination,
harassment and victimisation |
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Gives
victims of discrimination a right to make a complaint through a
judicial or administrative procedure, associated with
appropriate penalties for those who discriminate.
Shares the burden of proof between the complainant and the
respondent in civil and administrative cases |
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Provides for the establishment in each Member State of an
organisation to promote equal treatment and provide independent
assistance to victims of racial discrimination |
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Allows
for limited exceptions to the principle of equal treatment, for
example to preserve the ethos of religious organisations or to
allow special schemes to promote the integration of older or
younger workers into the labour market |
Further information
More information on UK Employment
Equality Regulations can be found on the
DTI website. See also the useful links below:
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