Quick reference points

Equality checklist

This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult legal professionals for your specific compliance requirements.

Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)

Public bodies must have due regard to the need to:

1. put an end to unlawful behaviour that is banned by the Equality Act 2010, including discrimination, harassment and victimisation
2. advance equal opportunities between people who have a protected characteristic and those who do not
3. foster good relations between people who have a protected characteristic and those who do not

Scottish specific duties under The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012

Required actions:

• Publish equality outcomes every four years
  Report progress on mainstreaming the equality duty every two years
• Carry out equality impact assessments when introducing new policies or practices within a reasonable period
• Gather, use, and publish employee information
• Publish gender pay gap information
• Publish equal pay statements
• Consider whether equality-related criteria would support the performance of the equality duty when procuring goods and services
• Ensure all published materials are available in accessible formats
• Provide evidence of how equality considerations influenced decisions

Getting started quickly

The following provides a possible week-by-week plan for getting started. Each organisation will have its own aims and objectives, so this is provided for illustrative and assistive purposes only.

Week 1: Assess current position

• Start with the self-assessment tool: Complete the equality and human rights mainstreaming self- assessment to identify your current implementation level and priority areas
• Review existing policies and practices
• Identify key stakeholders
• Review legal compliance status

Week 2-4: Plan your approach

• Set initial goals and priorities
• Identify resources and capacity
• Engage with senior leadership
• Begin stakeholder conversations

Month 2-3: Take first actions

• Put in place quick wins
• Start collecting baseline data
• Begin staff awareness raising
• Set up governance structures

Month 4-6: Build momentum

• Expand training and development
• Develop comprehensive action plan
• Strengthen stakeholder engagement
• Retake the self-assessment to measure progress and identify next priorities
• Monitor and adjust approach