The DTI is consulting on a proposed amendment to the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003.
The amendment follows on from the Civil Partnerships Act 2005. It:
- makes it clear that, for the purposes of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, the status of a civil partner is comparable to the status of a spouse. The effect is to enable a civil partner who is treated less favourably than a married person in similar circumstances to bring a claim for sexual orientation discrimination under the Sexual Orientation Regulations; and,
- prevents an employer justifying less favourable treatment of a civil partner as compared to a spouse in similar circumstances unless he could show that being heterosexual was a genuine occupational requirement of the job.
The consultation also deals with another amendment concerning entitlement to social security and other benefits.
Consultation: Sexual Orientation Regulations
[Thanks to Lucy Baldwinson at Allen & Overy for telling me about this consultation paper]
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