The new Equality Act is designed to consolidate nine separate discrimination laws into a single act, but it includes several changes that may produce some unpleasant surprises to unwary employers in the future.

The main areas of the Act that may be problematic include:

• increased tribunal powers
• employer liability for third party actions
• discrimination and harassment by association
• secrecy and transparency clauses
• transitional arrangements

Business owners should carry out the following preparations:

1.)  Ensure staff are trained so that they know what to do if they experience harassment or discrimination.

2.)  Review existing policies in all areas of discrimination to ensure they are still relevant.

3.) Make clients, customers and commercial contacts aware that inappropriate behaviour towards staff will not be tolerated.

4.)  Ensure employees with line manager and interviewing responsibilities are trained to recognise discrimination and ensure compliance with the law.

As with any Act, it can be expensive if employers get things wrong, so by putting some basic controls in place, business owners can save themselves additional stress and pressure.