We encourage all members to join the discussion on how to provide public services and how equality can be promoted when delivering them.

UNISON has a history of winning on equality. We continue to fight against discrimination wherever we encounter it and regularly help members challenge unequal or unfair treatment, including all forms of prejudice and discrimination, racism, bullying and harassment and equal pay.

Everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. The ability to live and work without prejudice is a fundamental right, regardless of your background, identity and experiences.

One of UNISON’s main aims is to help workers fight for fairness and equality in the workplace and beyond. Challenging discrimination and winning equality is at the heart of everything UNISON does.

Besides the right not to be discriminated against or bullied, fair treatment also includes dignity at work, access to opportunities and equal working conditions and pay.

The right to fairness and equality

Employees are protected against discrimination and unfair treatment by the Equality Act and relevant regulations in Northern Ireland. The Equality Act contains something called the public sector equality duty, which requires public bodies to actively promote equality and eliminate discrimination.

If a member has been discriminated against or treated unfairly at work, UNISON negotiates with employers on a member’s behalf, attends tribunals, offers legal help and makes employers aware of the law. The Equality Act  makes it unlawful for employers to treat you unfairly because of:

• age;

• disability;

• gender reassignment;

• marriage and civil partnership;

• pregnancy and maternity;

• race;

• religion or belief;

• sex;

• sexual orientation.

It is also unlawful for employers to have a rule, policy or practice that someone is less likely to be able to fulfil than other employees because of one of the reasons above.