Essential Discrimination Law

Day One
09:30 - An introduction to the relevant legislation
· Equal Pay Act 197
· Sex Discrimination Act 197
· Race Relations Act 1976
· Disability Discrimination Act 1995
· Human Rights Act 1998
· Sex Discrimination Regulations 2001
· Religion or Belief Regulations 2003
· Sexual Orientation Regulations 2003
· Disability Discrimination Amendment Regulations 2003
· Employment Equality (Sex Discrimination) Regulations 2005
· Disability Discrimination Act 2005
· EU Equal Treatment Directive
· Equality Act 2010

11:00 - A closer look at race, sex, religion, sexual orientation discrimination
· Direct and indirect discrimination
· What is victimisation?
· Recruitment and advertising: what are the legal considerations?
· Maternity, paternity and parental rights
· Flexible working requests
· Equal pay and opportunities
· Sexual orientation
· Religion
· Gender re-assignment
· Recent case law

12:30 - Lunch
13:30 - Disability discrimination
· Meaning of 'disability' and 'discrimination'
· What is the employer's duty to make adjustments?
· The nature of 'reasonableness'
· Exceptions and defences
· Enforcement and remedies/compensation
· Absence from work - stress cases
· Recent case law
· DDA and amending regulations

16:30 - End of day one

Day Two
09:30 - Harassment and bullying
· Definitions
· Investigating harassment and bullying allegations
· Examining line manager responsibility
· Policies in practice
· Effects on health and absence - stress

11:00 - Age discrimination
· Age discrimination
· Recruitment and promotion
· Pay and benefits
· Health and safety issues
· Dismissal and retirement
· The 'Heydey' challenge
· Potential justifications

12:30 - Lunch
13:30 - Enforcement and liability
· Burden of proof
· Drawing inferences
· Vicarious liability
· Remedies and compensation
· Avoiding litigation
· Handling tribunal claims

16:30 - End of day two