The Law
The Law as related to discrimination (directly or indirectly) in volunteer recruitment.
It is unlawful to discriminate directly or indirectly in volunteer recruitment because of a ‘protected characteristic’. The Equality Act defines the protected characteristics as being age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality, caste and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion or belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership.
Discrimination after volunteering may also be unlawful, e.g. refusing to give a reference for a reason related to one of the protected characteristics.
It is also unlawful to discriminate against or harass a member of the public or beneficiary in the provision of services or goods or to fail to make reasonable adjustments to overcome barriers to using services caused by disability.
The duty to make reasonable adjustments includes the removal, adaptation or alteration of physical features, if the physical features make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of services. In addition, service providers have an obligation to think ahead and address any barriers that may impede disabled people from accessing a service.
