Public Sector Equality Duty

The Equality Act 2010  places a general duty on the University to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not
• foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not

The eight protected characteristics covered by the Public Sector Equality Duty are:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Marriage and Civil partnership is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act but it is not covered by the Public Sector Equality Duty.

As part of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), the University will publish information on how we are performing and on what we are doing to meet the requirements of the PSED. This information will contain a breakdown of data in relation to the age, disability, race and sex of staff and students. It also includes details about how we assess the impact of our policies and procedures in relation to the protected characteristics as well as outlining the services we provide such as mediation  or the staff support service. We will highlight how we engage with and consult with stakeholders who share protected characteristics. We will also publish a series of equality objectives setting out clearly what we are going to do.

Staff and Student Data

Annual Reports

Equality Analysis

Workplace environment and practices

Northumbria Staff Survey

Equality and Diversity arrangements

Student Support and Wellbeing

Northumbria Students Union

Compliance with the Public Sector Duty will be monitored by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Government Equalities Office and we welcome comments from all staff, students, colleagues and stakeholders in relation to any of the above.  For further information or to provide feedback, please email equality@northumbria.ac.uk