今天英国新的平等法“Equality Act 2010”大部分条款开始生效。这个平等法简化了已有的各种平等法(如年龄、性别、残疾和各种其他歧视)并将他们集中在一个法律下。此法律适用于英格兰、苏格兰和威尔士(不包括北爱尔兰)。
新的平等法加强了一些平等条律,比如以后雇主在面试求职者的时候,不能询问有关他们健康的问题。就残疾人保护方面,照顾残障者的人也受到平等法保护。
对男女同工同酬(equal pay)上也有加强措施。信不信由你,一般公司的合同或守则都有条款限制员工谈论工资。如果你不知道同事的工资,你怎么知道男女是不是同工同酬?即使你知道同事的工资,你也没法要求跟别人一样的工资,因为你无法提供证据。新的平等法反薪资保密条款,规定员工有权自由讨论他们的薪资,雇主不得惩罚透露薪资和奖金的员工。但是性别平等促进团体表示,新法在破除男女薪资歧视方面仍做得不够,未能全面强制大企业公布员工薪资,并采取措施解决男女薪资差异。
如果个人在工作中或生活中受到歧视,可以向Citizens Advice Bureau寻求咨询和法律帮助。更详细信息可参考
- Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? A summary guide to your rights
- Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know as a Carer?
- Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? Disability quick start guide
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附: FAQs on commencement of the Equal pay
Does the Equality Act 2010 change the law on equal pay?
The Equality Act essentially keeps the law on equal pay between men and women as it was. It makes two specific changes. Firstly it provides that individuals who discuss their pay with one another to find out if there might be pay discrimination going on are protected from victimisation, even if their employment contract requires them not to discuss their pay. Secondly, it allows a claim of direct discrimination to be made in respect of pay even if there is no real comparator.
Is the provision on pay secrecy clauses being commenced?
Yes, section 77 comes into force on 1 October. This makes a secrecy clause in an employment contract unenforceable if it is used to try to stop people talking about their pay in order to identify discrimination. Any action taken against an employee for taking part in such a discussion can be treated as victimisation.
Is the section on equal pay audits being commenced?
Section 78, which creates a power for Ministers to require employers to publish information relating to the gender pay gap, is not being commenced in October. The Government is considering how to approach this clause in the best way for business and others involved.
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