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<p>It is the responsibility of all businesses to ensure that they are aware of their
obligations under the Equality Act 2010 (the Act) to their customers and employees.
To help them in this, Government and relevant independent bodies offer a range of
technical guidance and statutory codes of practice that clearly explain what businesses
should and should not do to ensure that their conduct is lawful and not discriminatory.</p><p>The
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is the public body responsible for enforcing
the Act. The EHRC provides guidance to assist businesses, including service providers,
to help ensure compliance with all parts of the Act. The guides explain how businesses
can avoid the different types of unlawful discrimination, against customers and employees,
including those with disabilities.</p><p>Guidance for any organisation providing a
service can be found here: <a href="https://equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/guidance-businesses"
target="_blank">https://equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/guidance-businesses</a></p><p>Guidance
for employers can be found here: <a href="https://equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/guidance-employers"
target="_blank">https://equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/guidance-employers</a></p><p>Tailored
advice is also available to both businesses, employees and service users through two
helplines. The Equality and Advisory Support Service (EASS) is a Government-funded
helpline and the initial point of contact for anyone with discrimination concerns.
The EASS provides free bespoke advice and also supports businesses and their customers
to resolve issues using alternative informal dispute resolution. The EASS can also
advise people who wish to take their complaint further on their options.</p><p>Acas
offers a similar service to employers and employees, both information and early conciliation,
where it is hoped that disputes can be resolved before progression to tribunal. Like
the EHRC, Acas has also published guidance for employers to help them to behave in
accordance with Equality Act requirements, for example their “What discrimination
is by law” pages, that can be viewed at: <a href="https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-and-the-law"
target="_blank">https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-and-the-law</a></p>
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