Anti-discrimination laws and guidance

1. The key anti-discrimination laws

  • Articles 13A & 13B, Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976
  • Article 20A, Fair Employment & Treatment (NI) Order 1998
  • Sections 4C to 4F, Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  • Article 72ZA, Race Relations (NI) Order 1997
  • Regulation 12, Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (NI) 2003
  • Regulation 13, Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (NI) 2006

2. The anti-discrimination grounds

The laws ban discrimination in recruitment on the grounds of:

  • Sex
  • Pregnancy and maternity leave
  • Marital or civil partnership status
  • Gender reassignment
  • Religious belief or similar philosophical belief
  • Political opinion
  • Race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins
  • Disability
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age

3. Statutory Codes of Practice relevant to recruitment & selection

  • Fair Employment in Northern Ireland – Code of Practice
  • Removing Sex Bias from Recruitment and Selection – A Code of Practice
  • Code of Practice for Employers for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunities in Employment.
  • Disability Code of Practice – Employment and Occupation

4. Other relevant Equality Commission guides

  • Sexual Orientation Discrimination in Northern Ireland – The Law and Good Practice
  • Age Discrimination in Northern Ireland – The Law and Good Practice for Employers
  • A Unified Guide to Promoting Equality of Opportunity in Employment