Equality Analysis
Our vision is to become ‘Inclusive Sussex’, where all members of our community have equal access to opportunities, experience the University as one that enables them to fully meet their potential, and supports them to make a full contribution to the University. Reducing inequalities and celebrating diversity allows us all to thrive.
Equality analysis is one of the measures that helps us to achieve this vision, through using evidence and informed judgement to evaluate whether a new or changed approach is likely to impact positively or negatively on different groups in the university community and to take action to reduce any negative impacts before changes are made. Equality analysis also meets our legal duty to consider equality in decision making to prevent discrimination and to promote diversity and inclusivity for all groups of people.
The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. One of the provisions of the act was the introduction of the public sector equality duty (PSED). It means that public bodies have to consider all individuals when carrying out their day-to-day work – in shaping policy, in delivering services and in relation to their own employees. The PSED requires public authorities, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination
- Advance equality of opportunity
- Foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities.
The University uses equality analysis as part of major projects and significant policy/business decisions. Equality analysis should be completed by the policy or project owner or a member of the team supporting them. To be completed effectively it requires a detailed understanding of the policy area and the proposed actions.
Guidance on equality analysis, how to conduct one effectively and the form for recording the analysis are provided below:
Training
Understanding Equality Impact Assessments
You are encouraged to complete this online course alongside using the guidance. The course consists of 40 minutes of in-depth training with films, learner notes and quiz. It helps explain the importance of equality analysis in planning change in a workplace setting.
Any feedback on the guidance, form or training should be sent to edi.unit@sussex.ac.uk.