1. Dr Wanda Wyporska The Equality Trust
Racism: recognising and responding
Dr Wanda Wyporska The Equality Trust

2. What equality is not Political correctness gone mad
Treating all people the same
Ghettoisation
Separatism

3. EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
What is equality?
 ”The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities” OED
Synonyms:
fairness, justness, equitability, impartiality, 
even-handedness, egalitarianism, equal rights, equal opportunities, non- discrimination; justice, freedom, emancipation
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY

4. What is racism?
From hate crime to ‘banter’
Discrimination
Exclusion

5. Scared of equality? Language Challenges our preconceptions
Prejudices in certain areas, not others i.e. gay adoption
Complex area - Social model of disability
Prohibited conduct – discrimination, harassment, indirect discrimination, discrimination arising from disability, associative discrimination, perceived discrimination.

6. EHRC – cuts - EASS replaced helpline
Changing landscape
EHRC – cuts - EASS replaced helpline
Local resources – CAB, refuges, Race Equality Councils, EHRC offices
Social security cap / PIP etc
Food banks
Cuts to NHS, Local Authority support, facilities time
Brexit

7. Implicit in the workplace/labour market?
Job applications and pay
Promotions, training and development
Opportunities (middle tier)
Structure of the organisation (trustees, advisors, patrons etc)
Media and marketing
Leave, holiday, breaks, shifts
Power dynamics

8. Equality Act 2010 Race Relations Acts Equal Pay Acts
Disability Discrimination Acts (DDA)
MacPherson Report
Pan equalities in line with Equality and Human Rights Commission

9. Equality Act 2010 Protected characteristics Age Disability
Ethnicity and race
Sex
Gender reassignment
Religion and belief
Sexual identity and orientation
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity

10. Public Sector Equality Duty s. 149 (PSED)
(1) A public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to: (a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act; (b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; (c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

11. Equality Act 2010 - Discrimination
Less favourable treatment on the basis of a protected characteristic
Direct discrimination? (Howe v JD Wetherspoon)
Indirect discrimination? (R (Winder and ors) v Sandwell Borough Council :DVA 2 years)
Provision, Criterion or Practice (PCP)
Associative discrimination? (Coleman v Attridge Law & Steve Law)
Perception

12. Harassment
Unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual.

13. Victimisation
Action by an employer, against an employee, in retaliation for involvement in bringing or supporting a complaint of discrimination.
Examples include refusal to promote an employee because he or she has previously invoked a grievance procedure, or given evidence against the employer at a tribunal.
Victimisation can also take place after employment has finished – for example, where an employer refuses to follow its normal post-employment procedure and fails to give a reference to a former employee because he or she had brought a tribunal claim for discrimination against it.

14. Responding Power dynamics Building a case – take notes
Collective experiences
Ask for help and support
Assess the risks
Challenge immediately
Witnesses

15. Tools Equality Impact Assessment Policy Practice Prediction
Organisation audit
Ethnic pay gap - disclosure
Positive discrimination
Trade Union support

16. Trade Unions and Equalities
Organising and recruitment tool
Empowering members to represent
Engaging members on issues they really care about
Greater awareness by all
Grow Equality Reps
Self-organised groups
Branch structures / support
Your friend at work
Advice and guidance

17. Equality Act 2010 – PSED
“It is incumbent on every institution to examine their policies and the outcome of their policies and practices to guard against disadvantaging any section of our communities.” Lord Macpherson, Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, 1999