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Understanding your Rights

 

Whether you're studying, gaining work experience, or starting your career, the Equality Act 2010 is designed to ensure fair treatment and protection from discrimination in UK-based universities, workplaces, and placements. However, we recognise that real-world experiences don’t always live up to this ideal.

We are committed—as echoed in the University of Cumbria’s Inclusivity Statement—to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can be their true self, feels a sense of belonging, and is respected for their differences. The Equality Act provides the legal foundation for this vision, but it is through our collective responsibility to value, celebrate, and actively uphold fairness that meaningful change is achieved.

 

 

  • What is the Equality Act 2010?

     

    The Equality Act 2010 is a UK law designed to prevent discrimination and promote fairness in education, employment, and public services. It ensures that individuals are treated equally, regardless of their background or identity. 

     

     

     

    In Northern Ireland, the Equality Act 2010 does not apply, but there are still protections in place. The Northern Ireland Assembly has the authority to take forward legislative changes to harmonize equality standards across different grounds. The Act does apply in cases of offshore work and women-only shortlists. The law is complex and there are ongoing discussions about reform to make protections clearer and more consistent. 

    Legislation.gov.uk

  • Protected Characteristics

     

    The Act protects individuals from discrimination based on: 

    • Age 
    • Disability 
    • Gender reassignment 
    • Marriage and civil partnership 
    • Pregnancy and maternity 
    • Race (including nationality and ethnic origin) 
    • Religion or belief 
    • Sex 
    • Sexual orientation 

     

  • Your Employment Rights (including placements and internships)

    During a placement or internship, the provider must comply with the Equality Act. This means: 

    • No discrimination in recruitment or placement opportunities 
    • Reasonable adjustments for disabled students to ensure equal access 
    • Protection from harassment and victimisation in the workplace 

    Once you enter the workforce, the Equality Act ensures: 

    • Fair hiring practices—employers cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics 
    • Equal pay and opportunities—you must receive fair treatment in promotions and benefits 
    • Workplace adjustments—reasonable accommodations must be made for disabled employees 
    • Protection from harassment—unwanted behaviour related to a protected characteristic is unlawful 

  • What To Do If You Face Discrimination

    If you experience unfair treatment in university, work placements, or employment, you can: 

    • Speak to your university’s careers or placement team 
    • Raise concerns with your placement provider or employer 
    • Submit a formal complaint 
    • Seek external support, such as advice from the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) or ACAS 

    Understanding your rights ensures you can study, work, and build your career with confidence. If you need further guidance, reach out to university support services or legal advisors. 

    Being part of a union can provide an extra layer of protection against discrimination. Unions provide legal representation, negotiate better working conditions, and advocate for fair pay. They can also support you during disputes and ensure that your rights are upheld.

    Find a union for you | TUC

    You Report, We Support (find via Student Hub or use the link below)

    You Report, We Support is the University of Cumbria’s confidential platform for reporting concerns or incidents that occur within the university community. This includes but is not limited to Sexual Misconduct, Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate or harmful behaviour. You have the option to submit your report anonymously. Once submitted, your report will be reviewed and managed by trained Student Support staff, who will provide appropriate guidance and support.

    Click here to Report a Concern or Incident

    Healthy Relationships Hub

    The University of Cumbria's Healthy Relationships Hub is our dedicated Harassment and Sexual Misconduct information hub serving as a central, accessible hub for all relevant policies, procedures, and support pathways. Here you can make a report, or seek information about sexual misconduct, harassment (physical or online), bullying, hate crimes, hate incidents, domestic abuse and spiking as well as obtain guidance on what to do if you need support. These pages clearly outline our stance on harassment and sexual misconduct, provides guidance on reporting and investigations, and includes information on staff-student relationships. It is designed to be easy to navigate and understand. Through this resource, we demonstrate our proactive commitment to preventing and responding to harassment and sexual misconduct within our university community.

     

  • Useful Links

     

    To learn more about your legal protections these resources are helpful: 

    If you need help from the University you can use these links: 

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