Question: How can employers ensure equality in the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Shops and branches
section_headers: 2. Who should go to work?
2.3 Equality in the workplace
section_content: Objective: To treat everyone in your workplace equally.
In applying this guidance, employers should be mindful of the particular needs
of different groups of workers or individuals. For instance, employers have a
duty to make reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled workers being put at a
disadvantage compared to non-disabled people in the workplace.
It is breaking the law to discriminate, directly or indirectly, against anyone
because of a protected characteristic such as age, sex or disability.
Employers also have particular responsibilities towards disabled workers and
those who are new or expectant mothers.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Understanding and taking into account the particular circumstances of those with protected characteristics.


Involving and communicating appropriately with workers whose protected characteristics might either expose them to a different degree of risk, or might make any steps you are thinking about inappropriate or challenging for them.


Considering whether you need to put in place any particular measures or adjustments to take account of your duties under the equalities legislation.


Making reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled workers being put at a disadvantage, and assessing the health and safety risks for new or expectant mothers.


Making sure that the steps you take do not have an unjustifiable negative impact on some groups compared to others, for example, those with caring responsibilities or those with religious commitments.



Reviewer feedback on this answer:
There is a lot of good information here.  It talks about equality in the workplace.  This answer is helpful.
This addresses workplace equality but not the pandemic.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Construction and other outdoor work
section_headers: 2. Who should go to work
2.3 Equality in the workplace
section_content: Objective: To treat everyone in your workplace equally.
In applying this guidance, employers should be mindful of the particular needs
of different groups of workers or individuals.
It is breaking the law to discriminate, directly or indirectly, against anyone
because of a protected characteristic such as age, sex or disability.
Employers also have particular responsibilities towards disabled workers and
those who are new or expectant mothers.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Understanding and taking into account the particular circumstances of those with different protected characteristics.


Involving and communicating appropriately with workers whose protected characteristics might either expose them to a different degree of risk, or might make any steps you are thinking about inappropriate or challenging for them.


Considering whether you need to put in place any particular measures or adjustments to take account of your duties under the equalities legislation.


Making reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled workers being put at a disadvantage, and assessing the health and safety risks for new or expectant mothers.


Making sure that the steps you take do not have an unjustifiable negative impact on some groups compared to others, for example those with caring responsibilities or those with religious commitments.



Reviewer feedback on this answer:
There is a good amount of information.  The answer it direct.  It specifically focuses on equality in the workplace.
This addresses equality but not COVID-19.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Factories, plants and warehouses
section_headers: 2. Who should go to work
2.3 People who have protected characteristics
section_content: Objective: To treat everyone in your workplace equally.
In applying this guidance, employers should be mindful of the particular needs
of different groups of workers or individuals.
It is breaking the law to discriminate, directly or indirectly, against anyone
because of a protected characteristic such as age, sex or disability.
Employers also have particular responsibilities towards disabled workers and
those who are new or expectant mothers.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Understanding and taking into account the particular circumstances of those with different protected characteristics.


Involving and communicating appropriately with workers whose protected characteristics might either expose them to a different degree of risk, or might make any steps you are thinking about inappropriate or challenging for them.


Considering whether you need to put in place any particular measures or adjustments to take account of your duties under the equalities legislation.


Making reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled workers being put at a disadvantage, and assessing the health and safety risks for new or expectant mothers.


Making sure that the steps you take do not have an unjustifiable negative impact on some groups compared to others, for example, those with caring responsibilities or those with religious commitments.



Reviewer feedback on this answer:
There is a good amount of information here.  The answer is focused on how to promote equality in the workplace.
This addresses workplace equality but not the pandemic.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Could be Improved