Where can I get more information?
Acas has produced practical workplace guidance on the new Regulations. Guidance is available on the Acas website.
Acas operates a telephone helpline (tel: 08457 47 47 47, textphone: 08456 06 16 00) which provides information and advice across a wide range of employment issues. It also runs an advice line for employers - Equality Direct: tel: 0845 600 3444, textphone 08456 06 16 00) offering good practice guidance on fairness in the workplace.
How do I make a complaint?
Using the regulations you can now make a complaint about discrimination, harassment or victimisation on the grounds of sexual orientation and religion or belief. In most cases, a complaint must be made to the Employment Tribunal, though in cases involving institutes of further and higher education proceedings must be brought in the county or sheriff court. Once an alleged act of discrimination has taken place, the time limit for bringing a claim in the Employment Tribunal is three months; in the county or sheriff court it is six months. Tribunals and courts can only extend those time limits in exceptional cases.
How can my business become more aware of the Regulations?
The Government is committed to the introduction of new legislation outlining discrimination by the end of 2006. Acas has produced practical workplace guidance which will help businesses understand their obligations and be able to offer employers face to face help and support on equality issues..
How do I make a claim under the new Regulations?
If you want to take a complaint of discrimination or harassment under the Regulations you may wish to do so in the appropriate tribunal by completing an Employment Tribunal Application form (IT1) available from your local Jobcentre Plus office or local Citizens Advice Bureaux.
The employment equality questionnaires (Sexual Orientation and Religion or Belief)
Under the Regulations a person is entitled to write to his or her employer if he or she feels discriminated against. Although questionnaires and replies can be conducted by letter, the use of the questionnaire will help ensure relevant questions are asked. This questionnaire is for the person with the complaint to send questions to their employer. The matching reply form gives the employer an opportunity to say whether they agree with the complainant or not, they can set out the reasons why.
What support is the DTI providing to help embed the new legislation?
In addition to DTI awareness raising activities (including a national press campaign and seminars for key intermediaries) we have provided capacity building funding to support work in non-governmental organisations.