How to manage: Employers should be aware of proposed changes in equality law

Draft legislation would introduce a new ground of socio-economic disadvantage to existing protections for employees and job applicants

The ignorance of an employee is no defence for an employer, and the latter may be held liable for any discriminatory actions

Sinn Féin has introduced draft legislation seeking to add a new ground of socio-economic status to employment equality law.

The principal aim of the proposal is to protect job applicants and employees from suffering discrimination due to socio-economic disadvantage.

Employment equality legislation currently outlaws discrimination based on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, religion and membership of the Traveller community.

The Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021, if enacted, ...