Equality and Diversity Policy Template for UK Businesses
An equality and diversity policy sets out your organisation's commitment to providing equal opportunities in employment and avoiding unlawful discrimination. The Equality Act 2010 consolidates and strengthens UK anti-discrimination law, protecting people from discrimination based on nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. While the Act does not mandate a written policy, having one demonstrates compliance and provides a defence to certain claims.
Who Needs This Policy?
Every UK employer should have an equality and diversity policy. The Equality Act 2010 applies to all employers regardless of size. Having a documented policy is particularly important because under section 109, employers are vicariously liable for discriminatory acts by their employees unless they can show they took 'all reasonable steps' to prevent discrimination. An up-to-date policy, combined with training, is the primary way to establish this statutory defence.
What's Covered
This equality and diversity policy template covers 13 key sections:
Purpose
This policy sets out the commitment of [your details] to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. It explain...
Scope
This policy applies to all employees, workers, contractors, agency staff, volunteers, job applicants, and visitors. It c...
Policy Statement
[your details] is committed to: - Promoting equality of opportunity for all - Eliminating unlawful discrimination, hara...
Protected Characteristics
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination on the grounds of the following nine protected characteristics...
Forms of Discrimination
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits the following forms of discrimination, all of which are prohibited by [your details]: -...
Recruitment and Selection
[your details] will ensure that recruitment and selection processes are fair, consistent, and free from discrimination: ...
Reasonable Adjustments
[your details] has a duty under sections 20-22 of the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments where a provision...
Equal Pay
[your details] is committed to the principle of equal pay for equal work, as required by the Equality Act 2010 (which im...
Training and Awareness
[your details] will provide equality and diversity training to all employees as part of their induction and on an ongoin...
Complaints and Enforcement
Any employee who believes they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or victimisation should raise the matt...
Roles and Responsibilities
is responsible for: - Setting the tone from the top and demonstrating commitment to equality and diversity - Ensuring t...
Related Policies
This policy should be read alongside the following policies: - Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policy - Sexual Harassment ...
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are changes to equality legislation, ACAS guidance, or case la...
Legal Framework
This policy template is grounded in the following UK legislation and guidance:
- Equality Act 2010
- Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties and Public Authorities) Regulations 2017
- ACAS guidance on equality and discrimination
- Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023
- Human Rights Act 1998
How Complaiance Helps
Our equality and diversity policy goes beyond a generic template:
- Covers all nine protected characteristics with practical examples relevant to UK workplaces
- Includes positive action provisions under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010
- Built-in complaint and investigation procedures aligned with ACAS guidance
- Reasonable adjustment provisions for disability under sections 20-22 of the Act
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Get Started FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What are the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010?
The nine protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Discrimination on any of these grounds is unlawful in the workplace under the Equality Act 2010.
Can an employer be liable for discrimination by its employees?
Yes. Under section 109 of the Equality Act 2010, an employer is vicariously liable for discriminatory acts carried out by employees in the course of employment, whether or not the employer knew about or approved the conduct. The only defence is proving the employer took 'all reasonable steps' to prevent the discrimination — which typically means having a policy, providing training, and enforcing the policy consistently.
Is positive discrimination legal in the UK?
General positive discrimination (favouring someone because of a protected characteristic) is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010. However, 'positive action' is permitted under sections 158-159. This allows employers to take proportionate steps to encourage or enable disadvantaged groups to overcome barriers, and in tie-break situations during recruitment, to prefer a candidate from an under-represented group where candidates are equally qualified.