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The Equality Act 2017 will come into full effect from New Year's Day.

 

IOM Government said that the right to equality of opportunity and protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation will be strengthened in the Isle of Man from this date.

 

While most of the Act was implemented on 1st January 2019, the remaining provisions will come into effect on 1st January 2020.

 

The change in the law provides equality of opportunity and makes it unlawful to discriminate, harass or victimise a person when providing goods, services or public functions, in education, in employment or as a member of an association on the basis of a person’s:

 

• age

• disability

• gender reassignment

• marriage and civil partnership

• pregnancy and maternity

• race

• religion or belief

• sex

• sexual orientation.

 

Chief Minister, Howard Quayle MHK, said: 'The Isle of Man is an inclusive and caring community. This trait is woven into the fabric of our society and is one of the many qualities of our Island life that makes me proud to be Manx. 

 

'The Equality Act 2017 enshrines into the law of our Island the right to equality of opportunity and protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

 

'This new legislation will be fully implemented on 1 January 2020, and everyone needs to be aware of what this means and the implications for rights and obligations. We have phased the changes in over two-and-a-half years so that businesses, organisation and individuals have had time to adjust.

 

'We want everyone to be fully supported so guidance is being made available, some of which is being published today, with more to follow in the coming months.'

 

A Code of Practice on Employment was laid before Tynwald following a period of consultation earlier this year.

 

The code gives detailed explanations of the Act’s provisions, explaining the concepts of discrimination, harassment and victimisation in everyday work situations. 

 

It also provides practical employer guidance for recruitment and during employment, including the duty to make workplace adjustments which are reasonable.

 

The code will assist the Employment and Equality Tribunal when interpreting the law and help advocates, advisers, trade union representatives, human resources professionals and others who need to apply the law.

 

More information about the Equality Act 2017 can be found online at www.gov.im/equality or by contacting the team on equality@gov.im or 686065.

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