Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

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Please note that this Assessment has 6 pages and is made up of 3 Sections.

Name:

Section 1: Know how legislation and guidelines support equality and diversity 1. Use the table below to:
a. Describe the rights of a range of individuals who have one or more of the 9 protected characteristics in the organisation/service you work for (or one that you are familiar with). b. State how the law protects the rights of these individuals. Name the legislation. c. Identify guidelines within your organisation to support equality, diversity, dignity and respect. Individual (colleague/manager or service user) and protected characteristic What are their rights? Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

Legislation that protects their rights

How does this legislation protect their rights?
Which guidelines support equality, dignity diversity or respect in relation to this person? Example 1
Female disabled colleague

Protects them from harassment, entitles to equal pay, treated like everyone else

Example 2

Service User, Client, Elderly person

Not to be discriminated against.

To be shown respect and dignity.

For information about them to be confidential.

Freedom from harassment (quiet enjoyment). Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

Privacy within own room

The Human Rights Act, 1998
Protects against discrimination, and harassment,

Equal Opportunities Policy, Sex discrimination Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Human Rights Act, Health & Social Care Act 2008

Example 3
Black employee worker

Equality, treated as an individual, and same as everyone else, not to be prejudiced in any way, The Equality Act 2010

Protects against discrimination, and harassment,

Equal Opportunities Policy, Sex discrimination Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Human Rights Act, Race Relations Act 1976. Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

Example 4
Transsexual Manager

Equality, treated as an individual, and same as everyone else, not to be prejudiced in any way, The Equality Act 2010

Protects against discrimination, and harassment,

Equal Opportunities Policy, Sex discrimination Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Human Rights Act, Sex Discrimination Act 1975

Section 2: Know how to work in ways that support equality and diversity 1. List a range of factors that might be a cause for discrimination in the health sector. Include at least 4 examples in your answer. Direct Discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic. Relevant protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. For example, a manager does not select a pregnant woman for promotion even through they meet all of the competencies because they are pregnant. This is probably direct discrimination and cannot be justified. Indirect discrimination occurs when a seemingly neutral provision, criterion or practice that applies to everyone places a group who share a characteristic e.g. type of disability at a particular disadvantage. Indirect discrimination may be justified if it can be shown that the provision, criterion or practice is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

An example of this is when an employer decides to apply a “no hats or headgear” rule to staff. If this rule is applied in exactly the same way to every member of staff, then staff who may cover their heads as part of their religion or cultural background (such as Sikhs, Jews, Muslims and Rastafarians) will not be able to meet this requirement of the dress code and may face disciplinary action as a result. Unless the employer can objectively justify using the rule, this will be indirect discrimination. Relevant protected characteristic include age, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. In addition, the Act extends protection against unjustified indirect discrimination to gender reassignment and disability. Victimisation occurs when an employer is treated unfavourably, disadvantaged or subjected to a detriment because they have made or supported a complaint of discrimination or raised a grievance under the Equality Act, this policy or the Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination policy or because they are suspected of doing so. (However, an employee is not protected from victimisation if they have maliciously made or supported an untrue complaint). Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

An example, of this is when an employee requests to work flexibly and their manager refuses their request because they supported a colleague in a complaint of discrimination. Detriment arising from a disability arises when you treat a disabled person unfavourably because of something connected with their disability. This type of discrimination is unlawful where the employer or other person acting for the employer knows, or could reasonably expected to know, that the person had a disability. This type of discrimination is only lawful if the action can be justified and the employer can show that is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. An example of this when an employer imposes a “no beards” rule as a part of a dress code and tells staff they will be disciplined if they do not comply. The employee is a disabled person who has a skin condition which makes shaving very painful. They have been treated unfavourably (threat of disciplinary action) because of something arising from their disability (their inability to shave). Unless the employer can objectively justify the requirement, this may be a detriment arising from a disability. It may also be a failure to make a reasonable adjustment. Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

2. Describe how people’s values and beliefs may differ. Think about the range of people you come into contact with to help you answer this question.

Description of person
Description of their values and beliefs
How might they differ from your own beliefs or from other people’s? Service user

fF Food and drink
-how they like to be addressed and spoken to
-personal care – living or deceased
-privacy and dignity
-the information they are given
the support they would like

their faith or belief.Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

Everyone has different values, beliefs and preferences. What I believe in, what I see as important and what I see as acceptable or desirable is an essential part of who I am. The way in which I respond to people is linked to what I believe in, what I consider important and what interests me. I may find I react positively to people who share my values and less warmly to people who have different priorities. When I develop friendships, it is natural to spend time with people who share my interests and values. As a professional, I am required to provide the same quality of support for all, not just for those who share my views and beliefs.

3. Read these scenarios. Can you identify ways in which the people in them can be treated fairly in accordance with their needs?Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

Scenario 1

Carl is a care assistant at a residential care home. Another care assistant, Helen, has worked there for a long time and is often not particularly fair to residents whose catering needs are different from others. So to vegetarians, she might say “Don’t you miss bacon?” and to Jewish residents she might say “the chef will have to prepare yours differently won’t she? That’s gonna take extra time for her.” She has also commented on Muslim residents’ needs to fast at certain times of the year and to pray at certain times of the day. Carl is uncomfortable when she does this and feels it may jeopardise his working relationship with her. Helen knows that Carl feels uncomfortable and is aware that she may come across as a bit of a ‘dinosaur’ in her attitude. She intends to go to her manager to resolve the issue.Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay

Person

How can they be treated fairly?
How is this treatment in accordance with their needs?
Residents

Should be treated with dignity and respect, and spoke to in a polite manner, and not be discriminated against This is in accordance with Equality Act 2010

Scenario 2
Dean has mild Downs Syndrome and enjoys an active and busy life with friends and family. He has applied for a job as a hospital porter. The interview goes well but Dean does not get the job. Dean’s friend Rajesh works at the hospital and tells Dean’s parents that he didn’t get the job because the manager has preconceptions about the capabilities of people with Downs Syndrome. Rajesh gets into trouble from his manager for speaking his mind and revealing confidential information.Equality and Diversity in the Health Sector Essay