Home
>
Political
>
Employment Legislation: Proposed Employment Law Changes - To Take Effect 1 October 2005

Employment Legislation: Proposed Employment Law Changes - To Take Effect 1 October 2005

Proposed changes to the Sex Discrimination Act ("SDA") 1975 and the Equal Pay Act ("EPA") 1970 under the amended Equal Treatment Directive (2002/73/EC) will be implemented on 1 October 2005. To ensure that your company's policies comply with these proposed reforms please contact us at enquiries@rtcoopers.com.

The proposed changes to the law will be applicable to all employers and providers of vocational training:

As of 1 October 2005, there will be a new definition of indirect sex discrimination in employment matters and vocational training. Indirect sex discrimination will occur when an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice that applies to all workers or applicants causes particular disadvantage to certain sections of women or men. To avoid or succeed against a complaint of indirect sex discrimination, an employer will have to justify that a provision, criterion, practice or policy that it employs, and which causes such disadvantage, meets a business aim and is an appropriate means of meeting this aim.

For the first time, there will be a cause of action under the SDA for harassment on the grounds of the complainant's sex. The new provision will apply to the areas of employment and vocational training only. New explicit provisions will be included to ensure that women are protected from discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy.

The geographical coverage in the SDA and EPA have been extended, so they now cover employees who work for British organisations outside Great Britain (GB) in relation to recruitment, terms and conditions, pay, promotion, transfers and dismissals.

An employer will have the right to refuse to offer a particular job to someone who was intending to undergo, was undergoing or had undergone gender reassignment. However, such a refusal must now be reasonable. The SDA protection will be extended to cover vocational guidance and unpaid practical work experience.

The SDA will be amended to prescribe an eight-week time limit for the employer or training organisation, for example, to return the questionnaire in cases of discrimination or harassment in employment and vocational training. The proposed changes to the law applicable to certain employers, certain providers of vocational training and those who appoint office holders:

An exception in the SDA, which permitted partnerships and trade unions to discriminate on grounds of sex in the provision of death and retirement benefits to their partners and members respectively, will be removed. There will now be further protection against discrimination for office holders.

Ministers of religion will now be protected by the SDA, not only where they are employees, but also where they are office holders. If you require further information contact us.

Email: enquiries@rtcoopers.com

? RT COOPERS, 2005. This Briefing Note does not provide a comprehensive or complete statement of the law relating to the issues discussed nor does it constitute legal advice. It is intended only to highlight general issues. Specialist legal advice should always be sought in relation to particular circumstances.

Rosanna Cooper is a partner in RT Coopers Solicitors a full service law firm in London. The firm specialises in employment law including advising employers and employees on redundancies, dismissals, discrimination, grievance and disciplinary procedures, suspensions and breach of contract claim. The firm represents clients before the employment tribunal.

In The News:

An artificial intelligence-powered home security system can fire paintballs and tear gas at trespassers. The camera identifies human faces and animals.

Technology expert Kim Komando gives her tips and tricks on enhancing your user experience a smartphone and other devices you use everyday.

A new camera called NUCA uses artificial intelligence to create deepfake photos of subjects by stripping away clothing in close to real time.

The Kimberley Kube trail-ready camper has a compact but spacious design and combines luxury, functionality and ruggedness for a weekend getaway.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Emails instructing you to reset your password for an account may be legitimate, or they may be scams. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.

Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle aims to revolutionize undersea missions — it glides through the ocean without human assistance.

Learn how to work Google's calendar application to streamline and organize your daily tasks from technology expert Kim Komando.

If you do not want Facebook to have automatic access to your private photos, follow our tips to protect yourself. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson goes into detail about Apple’s recent iOS update that allows iPhone users to instantly translate spoken language simply by using the Action Button.

Safeguarding your digital life with a reliable physical backup isn't just a precaution, it's a necessity. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides the essential backup checklist.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how a Redditor exposed false recycling claims at their apartment, highlighting a report that only 21% of U.S. recyclables are processed.

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson offers a travel toolkit featuring five technology tools to help you with booking flights and hotels for your summer vacation.

The bubble behind the clock on your iPhone can appear in different colors. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what each of those colors mean.

Scammers are using the power of artificial intelligence to mimic voices of people and are using the fake voices to commit crimes, like kidnappings.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the science behind the Invisibility Shield, a 6-foot shield that makes people become invisible.

The International Olympic Committee on Friday announced plans to use AI in various Olympic aspects, including athlete identification, training and judging.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains an easy trick to avoid squinting while working or surfing the web by zooming in on your personal computer.

Streaming giant Roku has recently been targeted by a pair of cyberattacks, and the company confirmed over a half million Roku accounts were compromised.

The Land Aircraft Carrier combines an all-terrain, six-wheeled vehicle with a two-seat aircraft, which features electric vertical takeoff and landing.

The European Union has sent TikTok a "request for information" on the video sharing platform's newest app, TikTok Lite, under the Digital Services Act, with the aim to clean up social media.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The FBI is warning the public about a recent phishing scam via text that claims its targets owe money in Pennsylvania for unpaid road toll charges.

Your Apple Music settings may be revealing to your contacts what you're listening to. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the process to change those settings.

Employment Legislation: Proposed Employment Law Changes - To Take Effect 1 October 2005

Political