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Dear colleagues,
For clarity, in terms of equality information the new regulations state that by 31st December 2011 HEIs must publish information to demonstrate its compliance with the public sector equality duty.
This must include, in particular, information relating to persons who share a relevant protected characteristic who are:
(a) its employees (if more than 150 employees),
(b) other persons affected by its policies and practices (e.g. students).
The EHRC guidance provides suggestions of what public bodies should aim to publish. This guidance can be found here: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/public-sector-duties/new-public-sector-equality-duty-guidance/. In particular, Page 11 of the guidance gives details of the broad information public bodies could look to collect in an employment context. It is important to note that this will be recommended information, and not a statutory requirement.
As there are new proposed specific duties, as announced last Thursday, the EHRC guidance may change to reflect the terminology of ‘information to demonstrate its compliance’ as opposed to ‘sufficient information.’ The current GEO timeline is for the draft regulations to become statutory instruments in July, although this is subject to results of a consultation. ECU will communicate any changes and as much information as possible to the sector as these become available.
In the interim period ECU would advise that HEIs continue to gather the information that they already collect, and look to fill in the gaps for the protected characteristics newly covered by the duty. To respond directly to some requests from colleagues, ECU will look to mirror the list of broad information the EHRC recommends for the employment context to the student context in ECUs forthcoming updated guidance to the Public Sector Equality Duty guidance. This will be available as the new regulations become statutory instruments.
ECU will be looking to support HEIs in the coming period where at all possible, and will be providing updated frequently asked questions on our website http://www.ecu.ac.uk/subjects/equality-act-2010. Please email ECU at [log in to unmask] with any further queries.
With best wishes
Chris
Chris Brill
Policy Adviser
Tel: 020 7438 1021
Email: [log in to unmask]
Equality Challenge Unit
7th floor, Queens House
55/56 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London, WC2A 3LJ
Tel: 020 7438 1010
Fax: 020 7438 1011
Web: www.ecu.ac.uk
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