Friday 19 August 2022
Today, the Committee for Employment & Social Security has submitted the Prevention of Discrimination (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2022 to the States' Greffier to be presented to the States.
If approved by the States, the Ordinance will come into effect on 1st October 2023 when it will become unlawful to discriminate against a person on the grounds of race, disability, carer status, sexual orientation and religious belief in employment, the provision of goods and services, education and accommodation, and membership of clubs and associations.
Ahead of the commencement date, employers and service providers are encouraged to book onto free training sessions at Consortium.gg. Five modules will be run, each on four occasions between October 2022 and March 2023. The aim of the training is to inform employers, businesses, landlords, education providers and clubs and associations about the new rights and protections afforded by the new legislation and their responsibilities under it, so they can prepare in advance of the Ordinance coming into force.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, Vice-President of the Committee for Employment & Social Security, said:
"Fundamentally, this new legislation is about promoting and protecting people's right to equality of status, opportunity and treatment and non-discrimination on the basis of certain grounds. In approving this Ordinance, the States will be sending out a clear message that, as a society, we believe that no-one should be treated unfairly because of their race, disability, carer status, sexual orientation or religious belief.
"If you are a good employer or service provider that treats your staff and customers fairly and with respect, you have nothing to fear from this legislation.
"If anyone is unsure about what this new legislation will mean for them, I would strongly encourage them to sign up for free training at Consortium.gg to find out more."
