Equality & diversity

This section contains information about the nine protected characteristics, as defined under the Equality Act 2010 legislation. For initial enquiries on any of the proctected characteristics, please contact equalities@bucks.ac.uk.

The Equality & Human Rights Commission website has detailed guidance relating to the act and the nine protected characteristics.

Bucks joined the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme in December 2011 as we are committed to making the university more gay friendly.

Age

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations came into force in October 2006 and they make it unlawful to discriminate against workers, employees, job seekers and trainees (including students) because of their age. The legislation covers both younger and older individuals and follows the existing framework for anti-discrimination legislation. 

Ageism is deeply entrenched in society and the workplace. Valuing people of all ages within the workforce and regarding them as a sustainable rather than a disposable resource is essential for our future prosperity.

Useful links:

• Employers Forum on Age
• Age Positive
• Age UK

Disability

Disability is one of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. We have a responsibility to weave equality for all into our culture in practical and demonstrable ways. This means including disabled people and disability equality into everything we do from the outset.

Useful links:

• Disability definitions
• Bucks Disability Service web pages
• Equality Challenge Unit (ECU)- Enabling equality: furthering disability equality for staff in HE
  

Gender Reassignment

The Equality Challenge Unit's guidance on 'Trans staff and students in higher education' has been revised during 2010 to reflect legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.This guidance covers issues relating to trans staff and students. It will help us to meet our legal responsibilities, ensure our policies and procedures better meet the needs of trans people, and most importantly, provide effective support to staff and students during transition.

This practical resource is a must for staff who are supporting a trans colleague or student, and can also be used to increase awareness of gender identity issues. It should also inform the development of institutional policies and processes to support, and combat discrimination against, trans staff and students.

Useful links:

• Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) transgender additional resources
• Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) - Experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff and students in higher education: research report 2009

Marriage & Civil Partnership

Under the Equality Act 2010 'marriage and civil partnership' has now been defined as a protected characteristic upon which discrimination is unlawful. Links to sector guidance publications will be posted here in due course.

Pregnancy & Maternity

The Equality Act 2010 introduces new protection from discrimination for students during pregnancy and maternity, by extending the protection that exists for women in employment to higher education.

Students

The Equality Challenge Unit has produced guidance on meeting new legal requirements to support students during pregnancy and maternity - Student pregnancy and maternity: implications for higher education institutions . The guidance outlines how institutions can ensure students aren't discriminated against on the grounds of pregnancy or maternity. It is intended to help institutions meet the requirements laid out in the Equality Act.

Areas covered by the guidance include:

• Legal protection for students during pregnancy and maternity
• Implications for policy and practice
• Maternity related absence, leave and pay
• Sources of financial support for students
• Impact of maternity-related absence on funding allocations
• Assessments and examinations
• Breastfeeding and facilities
• Student accommodation
• Students studying abroad and international students

Employees

The National Childbirth Trust produces useful 'returning to work' guides for parents and employers.

Race

The University's Equality Scheme builds on the work of our previous Race Equality Scheme. Under the Equality Act 2010 'race' is now defined as a protected characteristic.

Useful links:

• Equality Challenge Unit
• Higher Education Academy
• Exploring the experiences of Black students in further and higher education

Religion or belief (including lack of belief)

Buckinghamshire New University has a duty of care to its diverse body of students and employees.  Although a secular organisation, the University recognises and affirms the value of faith in relation to many of its students’ university experience and in order to prepare them for the challenges of living and working in a multi-cultural society.  The Multi-faith Chaplaincy (MFC), which has been operational since 1 February 2011, has been set up to offer care and support for all students and employees, often at times of personal distress, loneliness, difficulties, bereavement and/or spiritual need, when they are most vulnerable, and to foster better inter-faith co-operation and understanding. Full details of the structure and role of the MFC can be viewed from this link.

Good inter-faith relations are an important part of good relations on campus. The Inter Faith Network for the UK, which works towards the promotion of good relations between people of different faiths, has produced a useful code to encourage ongoing dialogue between different faith communities. Building Good Relations with People of Different Faiths and Beliefs provides useful guidance on appropriate ways of maintaining inter-faith dialogue within an environment of respect and courtesy.

Religious holy days are based on different calendars, including the lunar calendar, which is determined by phases of the moon. They can fall within a range of days, the exact date not being determined until very close to the time. Where these dates fall within term times, there may be a conflict between observing the holy day and meeting academic requirements.

Useful links:

• The BBC Multifaith holy days and festivals calendar - employees might like to consider consulting this before setting dates for important events
• Employers Forum on Belief – this includes useful open section on 'dilemmas' which may provide some guidance in dealing with various issues surrounding belief
• Religious observance in higher education: institutional timetabling and work patterns - Equality Challenge Unit (ECU)
• Religious observance in higher education: facilities and services

Sex

The current legal position requires public sector organisations to promote equality between women and men and to seek to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Useful links:

• Equality Challenge Unit

Sexual Orientation

Buckinghamshire New University values all its employees and students equally, regardless of their sexual orientation. The University aims to create an environment in which all employees and students, whatever their sexuality, feel equally welcome and valued, and in which homophobic behaviour is not tolerated.

Homophobic abuse, harassment or bullying (such as name calling/ derogatory jokes, unacceptable or unwanted behaviour, intrusivive questions) are serious disciplinary offences and will be dealt with under the relevant disciplinary procedures.

The University Counselling Service, whose ongoing philosophy is ‘we accept you for who you are’ is available for all students and can help provide support and signposting for students who are in the process of coming out.

Bucks joined the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme in December 2011 as we are committed to making the university more gay friendly where people are truly valued as individuals. Stonewall is Britain’s leading employers’ forum on sexual orientation equality in the workplace.

Useful links:

• Experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff and students in higher education: research report 2009 - Equality Challenge Unit
• Stonewall – the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity
• Stonewall - Challenging homophobic behaviour (pdf format)
• Stonewall - Supporting lesbian, gay and bisexual young people (pdf format)
• Stonewall - Lesbian, gay and bisexual people in later life
• Bucks Student's Union LGBT Society
• The Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF) based in the North West have now released their new guide ‘I exist’ (Rights for gay and lesbian people)

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