Equality Act and code of practice

摘要

The Equality Act 2010 is perhaps the single most important piece of legislation affecting the work of OH professionals1. The Act covers nine'protected characteristics' and among these, disability, age, pregnancy and maternity, and gender reassignment are all areas that have particular relevance to occupational health. OH professionals are likely to be called on to advise employers and individuals on a host of topics, including reasonable adjustments for disabled people, pre-employment health screening, and termination of employment on grounds of ill health and capability. OH professionals are themselves singled out in the new Code of practice on employment2; on issues such as knowledge of disability, pre-employment health screening, reasonable adjustments, OH advisers as agents of the employer, and training.