Following the introduction of large chunks of the 2010 Equality Act on 1 October, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has produced three codes of practice. These cover employment; services, public functions and associations; and equal pay. 

The Commission says that the purpose of the codes is to explain the new provisions of the Act and to help ensure that the law is applied consistently by lower courts and tribunals. 

The three codes set out what the legislation means. They draw on precedent and case law and explain the implications of every clause in technical terms. These are therefore aimed at lawyers, advocates, human resource experts and trade union officials who need a detailed explanation of the law. 

The codes, currently in draft form, were laid before parliament on 12 October. They will retain their draft status until they have been laid before parliament for 40 days without objection and the government makes the order bringing them into force. 

The Commission has also produced an Equality Act “starter kit” to help employers, service providers and trade union officials who need to get to grips with the main implications of the new act. 

The kit breaks the act down into nine “bite-size” modules. Module one looks at what the Equality Act is and who it applies to; modules two to five give an overview of the law for anyone who employs people; and modules six to nine look at how it will affect anyone who provides a service. 

Finally, it has also produced a series of guidance notes for employers, workers and service providers (among others) explaining the law both pre and post 1 October 2010. 

These cover topics such as recruitment, working hours, pay and benefits, managing workers, dismissal and the duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. 

For more information go to the EHRC website: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/