Sexual Orientation, Religion or Belief and Age Employment Equality Project

SORBAEE project - Sexual Orientation, Religion or Belief and Age Employment Equality started in February 2006 and came to a close in June 2007

The SORBAEE Project focused on building the capacity of Law Centres to advise and raise awareness of the Sexual Orientation (SO), Religion or Belief (RB) and Age Employment Equality legislation. It was funded by Communities and Local Government and the DTI (now BIS).

The project provided training to Law Centre advisers around the country on SORB and Age equality legislation. It also developed the training skills of Law Centres, so that they could run awareness raising events on employment equality in their local areas. The project provided 29 small grants to Law Centres to run local training activities. These activities formed the Law Centres Federation's first national 'Equality though Justice' Campaign, which was launched on 22nd January 2007 and continued until the end of June 2007.

The project worked in Scotland with the Scottish Association of Law Centres. We would like to thank Cloisters Chambers, Allen & Overy, Manchester University and Halliwells for their expertise, help and support in delivering this project.

Pride not prejudice DVD

Sexual orientation discrimination and harassment in the workplace

(2007, 31 minutes [main section], colour, English subtitles)

This DVD explains the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) regulations which were introduced in December 2003 and describes how they protect people in the workplace. It also provides information on the options available to deal with discrimination and harassment.

Ben Summerskill, Commissioner of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights and Chief Executive of Stonewall, states about 'Pride not prejudice':

“This compelling DVD will help many lesbian, gay and bisexual people give meaning to their new rights at work. It uses the experience and views of real people to help others develop the skills, confidence and knowledge necessary to take action if faced with discrimination at work.”

The Law Centres Federation produced ‘Pride not prejudice’ in partnership with Southwark Law Centre, and Southwark LGBT Network. Members of the community in Southwark contributed significantly to the planning and production of the DVD.

‘Pride not prejudice’ is suitable for use in a wide range of different settings:

  • By individuals to gain a better understanding of their rights
  • By Law Centres and advice organisations to train community-based advisers, community groups and employers
  • By employers to raise awareness of diversity issues among their employees and to gain a better understanding of their own responsibilities as employers
  • By law students and lawyers to gain a better understanding of the legislation.

Free copies of the DVD are currently available - please contact Noeleen Adams on 020 7428 4407,

Watch it online now

Module 1: Introduction

(3 minutes, 20 seconds)

  • Positive messages from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who have not experienced discrimination at work
  • Research showing a significant level of sexual orientation discrimination and harassment in the workplace
  • The 2003 legislation is a great step forward.

Module 2: The Law

(7 minutes, 25 seconds)

  • Experiences of discrimination in the workplace
  • Awareness of the law within the community
  • The legislation explained.

Module 3: Options for action

(7 minutes, 48 seconds)

  • Possible sources of support including unions, human resources, management and support groups
  • Dealing with discrimination and harassment
  • The need for legal advice.

Module 4: Employment Tribunals

(8 minutes, 38 seconds)

  • Employment Tribunals and their responsibilities
  • The major processes involved in taking a case to tribunal.

Module 5: Where do we go from here?

(4 minutes)

  • The importance of using these legal rights to change workplace culture.

Main DVD total length: 31 minutes, 11 seconds

Extras:

The law - full interview

(13 minutes, 42 seconds; split into 2 sections )

Discrimination and the law

Harassment and Victimisation

  • More detail about the legislation from Declan O’Dempsey, barrister specialising in employment law, from Cloisters Chambers.

Law Centres and other advice

(1 minute, 38 seconds)

  • A brief introduction to Law Centres.
  • Details of other sources of advice in England, Wales and Scotland, which can be viewed as text on screen.

Worksheets to accompany the DVD are now available to download from this webpage

(see right hand column above).

Have you watched the DVD?

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