{"id":2823,"date":"2022-04-06T06:12:53","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T05:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uk.legalvision.com.au\/?p=2823"},"modified":"2022-09-20T07:14:20","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T06:14:20","slug":"positive-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment\/positive-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Rules About Positive Action in the Workplace in England and Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In England, there are certain \u2018protected characteristics\u2019 that you cannot discriminate against, including a person\u2019s race, sex and disability. However, as an employer, there may be times when you need to make a decision based on one of these characteristics, like taking positive action towards your current workforce or those you may recruit. Such a decision can increase your business productivity and help achieve a more diverse and representative workforce.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Positive action in the workplace can be lawful, but it is essential to understand your legal obligations. If not, you risk unlawfully making a decision on a protected characteristic and opening yourself up to a discrimination claim. This article will explain the rules about positive action in the workplace<\/span> and how an employer might carry out <\/span>this task.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Positive Action?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Positive action is where you assist an under-represented group or a disadvantaged group. These groups have a \u2018protected characteristic\u2019 and are also called protected groups. Accordingly, protected characteristics receive legal safeguards against discrimination.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are nine characteristics that the law protects against discrimination<\/a>. In England, these protected characteristics are:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n