Overview
The Staff Equality Podbriefing video provides a summary of the key elements of the Equality Act 2010 in relation to University Staff.
This Podbriefing supplements the Dignity within the University Policy to which there is a link on this page and at the end of the video.
Content and Aims
Focus
The Podbriefing is provided by Nick Abbot, a practising lawyer who specialises in employment law. The focus of the briefing is the Equality Act 2010 and its protection of staff from discrimination, victimisation and harassment.
The Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 covers all aspects of the employment relationship. It applies to anyone employed by the University, but also those involved in the recruitment process, those who spend time working abroad and also agency workers. In this Podbriefing, a scenario illustrates the application of the Equality Act and the University's Dignity Policy in relation to the harassment of a member of staff with a protected characteristic is also considered.
Employer/Employee Responsibility
Additionally, Nick Abbot also explains the other types of discrimination and harassment in relation to the nine protected characteristics and the responsibilities that an employer has in regards to its employees. He also explains that while an employer can be liable for the discriminatory actions of its employees through the concept of vicarious liability, the employees themselves can also be held individually responsible under the Act.
Finally, while the scenario depicted in the Podbriefing is fictional, the principles explored are based on the facts of real cases.