Prejudice

& Discrimination
OCN Level 2
Booklet 4

Name: Aoife Fullerton

Group: __________________
Date: ________

AC 5.1 Describe the meaning of Equal Opportunities

 Equal Opportunities is the right to be treated equally as everyone else without
discrimination, especially on the grounds of one's sex, race, Marriage Status /
Pregnancy, Sexual Orientation, disability, religion or age. Equal Opportunities
such be give to all these groups the same for example. A woman should be able
to have a job should as an engineer with society would class a man’s job. No one
should be judged on their ability to do something because of their age and if they
have a disability. No one should be treated different or abused against based on
their Race, Religion and Sexual Orientation. No Women should be refused a job
because there married or pregnant.

AC 5.2 Describe the VALUE of Equal Opportunities legislation. (Select THREE pieces of key
legislation).

Legislation example 1:
The Equality Act 2010. This came out in October 2010 and replaces all
previous equality legislation in England, Scotland and Wales, including the
Race Relations Act, the Equal Pay Act and the Sex Discrimination Act,
among others.
Value?
This meant the equal chance to apply and be selected for posts pre-
employment, equal chance to be trained and promoted while employed
with the organisation and equal chance to have their employment
terminated equally and fairly. By denying any employee or prospective
employee their right to equal opportunity in the workplace is tantamount
to discrimination, which is considered unlawful under the Equality Act
2010. The Act has specified 9 areas that are termed in the legislation as
protected characteristics. This includes Sex, Race, Disability, Pregnancy,
Marital status, Sexual orientation, Gender reassignment and Religious
background. If there was any discriminating against workers because of any
of the nine characteristics it is against the law. This meant that all workers
have a right to: fair practices and behaviour in the workplace, fair
allocations of workloads, equal access to benefits and conditions,
A workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment or
bullying at work, competitive merit-based selection processes for
recruitment and promotion and a fair process to deal with work-related
complaints and grievances.

Legislation example 2:
Disability discrimination act 1995. This gave more opportunities and rights
for Disabled people.
Value?
The Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against people in respect of their
disabilities in relation to employment, the provision of goods and services,
education and transport. The covers people with both Physical and mental
disabilities so they to be treated and have just as a normally life as those
without any destabilise. The act allows workplaces, schools and shops to
have disability access and toilets. Public transport also must have disability
access and sits for the disabled or spaces for wheelchairs.
Legislation example 3:
Race Relations Act 1976. This Act was established by the Parliament of the
United Kingdom to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race. Items
that are covered include discrimination on the grounds of race, colour,
nationality, ethnic and national origin in the fields of employment, the
provision of goods and services, education and public functions.

Value?
This piece of legislation protected people against racism and lets those who
are victimised by hate crimes or racist violence, actions and language to be
enabled to take legal action when they were discriminated against. The Act
promotes good relationships between different racial groups rather than
preventing racial discrimination. Both direct and indirect discrimination
must be eliminated. There is less institutional racism for example,
reopening of Stephen Lawrence case welcomed. There are now reduced
discrimination in employment and reduces barriers to access.