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08 May 2008 / David Malamatenios
Issue: 7320 / Categories: Features , Discrimination , Human rights , Employment
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Sex changes

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Practitioners need to be alert to far-reaching changes made to the sex discrimination legislation, says David Malamatenios

Important changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (SDA 1975) came into force on 6 April 2008. These changes are far-reaching and could have serious repercussions for employers and their advisers who fail to take proper note of them. What is the most surprising thing to arise from them is the apparent indifference and lack of preparation in the business community to meet the challenges presented by this new legislation.

Outside of the specialist, legal and personnel press the changes themselves have received little publicity either before or after their implementation. This means that many businesses have had little time to prepare or are not even aware of the need to make preparations. This is concerning considering that the government has estimated that it will cost small firms in the region of £10m to comply.

For the changes to have come about should come as no surprise to anyone. They have been on the cards for some time. In 2007, the High Court found

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