Diversity and equality

Whatever your job, and wherever you work, valuing diversity will have an impact on you

Whatever your job, and wherever you work, valuing diversity will have an impact on you. These pages support RCN members at work and keep you up to date with events and news in this field.

Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?

A number of organisations have produced guidance on the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

The Equality Act brings together a number of separate pieces of legislation into one single Act and aims to simplify the law and strengthen it in order to help challenge discrimination and inequality.

The Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? is a series of summary guides and quick start guides to the key changes in the law, produced by the Government Equalities Office in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, Citizens Advice and the Equality and Diversity Forum, to support implementation of the act.

These guides provide an outline of what the new laws mean for business, the public sector, the voluntary sector and the public, helping people understand their new responsibilities and rights. You can access the guides by visiting the Government Equality Office website.

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) have worked with the Government Equalities Office and the Equality and Human Rights Commission to produce a quick start guide for employers.

This guidance covers the changes coming into effect through the Equality Act 2010 and details how employers can reassess and align their practices to remain compliant. ACAS have also arranged a number of training events across England that can be accessed by visiting their website.  

Coming soon

The Diversity and Equality Unit are in the process of organising a free one-day event  for RCN members on the Equality Act and its implications for nurses and nursing later on this year.

Good corporate citizenship assessment model for NHS is launched

The Sustainable Development Commission and the NHS Sustainable Development Unit have launched the new Good Corporate Citizenship Assessment Model.

This resource can help you understand your organisation's progress on sustainable development, and includes a self-assessment test, case studies, and a networking forum.

In a message of support, NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson said: "corporate citizenship is critical to the future of the NHS", and calls on boards and chief executives to take ownership of it. 

The Good Corporate Citizenship Assessment Model can help you transform the NHS and make it more sustainable - through your decisions on procurement, travel, buildings, workforce, facilities management and community engagement.

The benefits to acting as a good corporate citizen can help your organisation to:

  • reduce waste and become more efficient
  • save money and protect the environment
  • prevent illness.

For more information you can visit the Corporate Citizen website.

Combating poverty and social exclusion in 2010

This year has been designated the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion. The year will focus on a number of themes.

Why the 2010 European Year?

Poverty and exclusion do not only strike at the wellbeing of individuals and their ability to take an active part in the life of society, they also impair economic development. The European Union (EU) wants to reaffirm the importance of collective responsibility in combating poverty. This doubtless involves the decision-makers but it also calls for a response from a wide range of individuals and organisations in the public and private sectors.

Among its aims, the European Year will seek to give a voice to those who daily experience poverty and social exclusion.

Four cross-disciplinary objectives will lie at the heart of this European Year

  • Recognition: to recognise the fundamental right of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion to live in dignity and to take an active part in society
  • Shared responsibility and participation: to promote public support for social inclusion policies, emphasising collective and individual responsibility in combating poverty and social exclusion and fostering commitment by all public and private actors
  • Cohesion: to promote a more cohesive society where nobody doubts that society as a whole benefits from the eradication of poverty
  • Commitment and practical action: to renew the pledge of the EU and its Member States to combat poverty and social exclusion, and involve all levels of authority in the pursuit of that aim.

For more information about the year please visit the EU website. 

Say no to violence against women campaign

MEP Eva-Britt Svensson, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality is working to collect signatures from fellow Members of the European Parliament for a written declaration on the 'Say NO to Violence against Women' campaign. The campaign has been initiated by UNIFEM to highlight the need for action and protection of women against violence. Read more about  the campaign on our Gender equality pages.  

Diversity toolkit

The RCN takes an innovative approach to sharing information. Find out more about this new resource in the Diversity toolkit section.

Diversity champions

The RCN wants to recruit 1000 activists to champion diversity and equality issues locally. As a registered champion you will receive the latest information and specialist support from the RCN diversity team.

Be the change you want to see in the world and sign up to become a diversity champion today.

Contact us

We want to hear your suggestions for ways that we can enhance the RCN's support for you and your colleagues. You can either email diversity.team@rcn.org.uk or write to:

Diversity and Equalities Unit
Royal College of Nursing
20 Cavendish Square
London W1G 0RN.