Sex Discrimination Act 1975
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 is one piece of legislation that was designed to combat prejudice based on gender and marital status. Although prejudice against a person based on their gender is recognised by this law as being a two way process ie a man can also claim discrimination on the basis of his gender, in our society the real issue is the unequal treatment of women and ensuring fairness on the basis of gender. However, the unequal treatment of a man is just as inappropriate and potentially as harmful.
The Act makes it illegal to discriminate, directly or indirectly against a woman or a man on the grounds of their sex or marital status in the areas of:
- Employment
- Training
- Education
- The provision of goods, facilities and services to members of the public
In employment, specifically it is illegal to discriminate (directly or indirectly) on the grounds of sex or marital status in:
- The arrangements made for the selection process, for example advertising or interviews
- The terms in which the job is offered
- Choosing the successful applicant – decisions must be made on merit regardless of sex
- Opportunities for promotion, transfers or training
- Benefits granted by an employer
- Dismissal, disciplinary hearings or other unfavourable treatment of employers.
The Act set up a body called the Equal Opportunities Commission, members of which are appointed by the Secretary of State.
Its main duties as set out in the Act are:
- To work towards the elimination of discrimination
- To promote equality of opportunity between men and women generally
- To review the working of both the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Pay Act 1970
- To review the discriminatory provisions in health and safety legislation.
The Sex Discrimination Act was amended and widened in 1986, and it should be read in conjunction with the Equal Pay Act 1984.
