PDF & Word - 2026 Updated

The primary legislation prohibiting discrimination on grounds of protected characteristics including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. It requires employers to promote equality and eliminate discrimination, directly influencing corporate DEI policies.

Establishes the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and provides powers to issue statutory codes of practice on equality, which guide the development of DEI policies in corporations.

Incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, requiring public authorities (and influencing private sector practices) to respect rights such as non-discrimination and respect for private life, relevant to inclusive workplace policies.

Provides protections against unfair dismissal, discrimination in employment, and requirements for reasonable adjustments for disabled employees, foundational for equity in corporate policies.

Requires public authorities to have due regard to eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity, and fostering good relations, which influences private sector DEI practices through guidance and best practices.

Non-binding guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission on implementing equality laws in employment, including recruitment, pay, and workplace culture, essential for DEI policy development.