Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Know your rights when job seeking, and find out about equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Equality and diversity in the workplace
The Equality Act 2010 is the UK legislation that covers equality and diversity in the workplace. It consolidates previous separate legislation into one act. This is to make the law easier to understand and encourage employers to comply.
The Equality Act lists nine 'protected characteristics'. This means employment discrimination is usually against the law. Employers must therefore treat applicants and employees equally.
The protected characteristics are:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage or civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin)
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
Many employers are going beyond legal requirements and promote a diverse workplace.
The following resources offer inspiration, information, and advice in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). They help you know your rights about job seeking and equality in the workplace. They also tell you what to do if you have experienced discrimination.
Useful resources about equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
- UK employment law, recruitment and the workplace: an explainer
- How you can tell that an employer is truly diverse and inclusive, by BAE Systems
- Equality and Human Rights Commission - includes a helpline for information and guidance on discrimination and human rights
- Equality Act 2010: guidance - protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – the University Library’s EDI information resources
Finding a diversity friendly employer
If you are looking for an opportunity, here are our tips on finding diversity friendly employers:
- research an employer's diversity and inclusion policies. Many employers have published these on their websites. They can give you a good insight into the employer's commitment to diversity and equality
- employer events and fairs can be a way of finding out if they recruit from diverse backgrounds. Ask about their diversity and inclusion policies
- talk to people who work for the employer. They can give you an insider's perspective on the company culture and how employees are treated
- use LinkedIn or Glassdoor to gauge the diversity and work culture of a workplace
- trust your instincts. If you have a gut feeling that an employer is not diversity friendly, question why. There are many great employers out there. Don't settle for one that doesn't make you feel comfortable
Examples of diversity friendly employers
- Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion - work with over 400 UK organisations of all sizes across all sectors
- FT Europe’s most inclusive companies as ranked by employees
- Inclusive Top 50 Employers - UK based organisations that promote inclusion
- Map of Living Wage employers
- Top 75 UK Employers for social mobility - from the Social Mobility Foundation
Diversity and inclusion schemes
These schemes cover most protected characteristics. Check criteria before applying.
- Bright Network - virtual work experience for all students and graduates. Employers from a diverse range of sectors including not-for-profit, consultancy, finance, and technology
- Civil Service Fast Stream - run two diversity internships, the Early Diversity Internship and the Summer Diversity Internship
- Creative Access - creative sector jobs, insight days and internships. Provide guidance and 1-to-1 advice to students who register
- Forage - virtual work experience with leading employers and organisations
- GROW Mentoring - a charity aiming to advance social mobility, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession. Increasing access to law through mentorship and community
- SEO London - prepare talented students from underrepresented backgrounds for career success. They offer vacancies and bespoke programmes, networking, and insight events
Equality, diversity and inclusion at Newcastle University
- Careers Service Events - we list events for students and graduates from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. This includes sessions that support diversity and inclusion in the workplace
- Newcastle University Student Wellbeing Team and Newcastle University Students' Union give students equality, diversity, and accessibility support
- Newcastle Uni Careers Service - Get Ready to Graduate - Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace - YouTube ([52:10, May 2021). Representatives from Evenbreak, Avanade, Enterprise Rent-a-car, and Durham Constabulary took part. They discussed how they ensure diversity and inclusion in their workplaces.
Age
The Equality Act 2010 made age discrimination, harassment, or victimisation unlawful.
Usually, unless they can prove that there is a legitimate reason, employers cannot set an age limit for jobs. They can say that a graduate scheme is only suitable for those who graduated within the last few years. This means they can set a date range for eligibility. They can't discriminate against mature students. If you've graduated within the number of years they've stated, you are still eligible to apply.
You do not have to put your age or date of birth on your CV and most employers no longer ask for it on application forms. Employers should treat you equally, regardless of age, during the application process. This also applies to you as an employee.
If you are entering the employment market as a mature graduate you have legal protection. In fact, your experience can be an asset during the recruitment process.
More information
- UK employment law, recruitment and the workplace: an explainer (targetjobs.co.uk)
- Equality Act 2010 and age discrimination laws
- AGE UK - information on looking for work, education and training.
- Members of the Employment Network for Equality & Inclusion - lists over 400 employers. Includes graduate recruiters who encourage applications from graduates of any age.
Disability, neurodiversity, and mental health
The Equality Act 2010 protects disabled applicants against discrimination during the recruitment process. It also makes disability discrimination unlawful in employment.
The Equality Act covers physical disabilities and mental health conditions. It also includes long term health conditions, specific learning difficulties and neurodiverse conditions.
This entitles you to reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments reduce or remove obstacles for disabled in the recruitment process. They also apply to the workplace.
You do not have to have a formal diagnosis to ask for a reasonable adjustment. You also don't have to share details of your disability if you prefer not to.
Reasonable adjustments
Reasonable adjustments are changes and modifications made by employers to accommodate disabled applicants. They are also for employees.
These adjustments should ensure that disabled individuals have equal access to employment opportunities. They prevent discrimination on the grounds of disability.
You can ask for a reasonable adjustment at any time in the recruitment process without sharing details of your disability if you choose not to.
Examples of reasonable adjustments in recruitment include:
- adjustments to the recruitment process. This could be alternative formats or extra time, or interview questions in advance
- auxiliary aids or services, such as sign language interpreters at interview
- alternative communication methods such as text relay services or video remote interpreting
Examples of reasonable adjustments in employment include:
- accessible facilities, such as entrances, toilets, or parking spaces
- flexible working arrangements or work schedules
- specialised equipment or assistive technology
- disability awareness training for staff members
Reasonable adjustments will vary depending on specific circumstances and an individual's needs. Other factors include the size and resources of the organisation or service. Reasonable adjustments do not give disabled candidates an unfair advantage. They are there to ensure that disabled candidates are not disadvantaged.
When to ask for reasonable adjustments
You can ask for reasonable adjustments at any time. For example:
- during the application process. If you need adjustments you can request them when you apply or when you are invited to interview
- when you start a job.
- if your circumstances change. If your disability changes, you might need extra or different reasonable adjustments
- if difficulties arise. If you are facing challenges in performing your job or experiencing barriers at work
There is no specific time limit for requesting reasonable adjustments. When and if you decide to ask is up to you, but there are people and resources that can help.
More information
Watch our Careers Service online presentations
Sharing information about a disability, neurodivergence or mental health condition
Deciding whether to share a protected characteristic, such as a disability, with an employer (often described as 'disclosure' in employment terms) is your personal choice.
You would only need to share information about a disability if it had health and safety implications for you or your colleagues.
You can ask for a reasonable adjustment at any time in the recruitment process without sharing details of your disability. See above for more on this.
Benefits of sharing information about a disability, neurodivergence or mental health condition
While you do not have to share information, there can be benefits:
- the Equality Act 2010 will legally protect you
- employers must make reasonable adjustments at interview or in the workplace
- you can control how the employer finds out about your disability and their impression of it
- you can highlight any skills you have developed because of your disability
- some employers are part of the Disability Confident scheme. Many employers in this scheme offer a guaranteed interview for disabled applicants. You would still need to meet the essential criteria. Your disability would also need to be mentioned within the Equality Act 2010
- you may be eligible for help from the Access to Work scheme
Disadvantages of sharing information about a disability, neurodivergence or mental health condition
The Equality Act legally protects you. However, you may still feel that:
- an employer might discriminate against you
- a Disability Confident employer might not be interviewing you based on your application
- you don't want to discuss private information with a stranger
- an employer might focus on your disability rather than your abilities
- an employer might think you will cost them extra for specialist equipment or time off
These websites offer advice on when and how to share information about a disability if you choose to.
- gov.uk - information about recruitment questions in relation to health and disability
- Example of how to disclose a disability in a cover letter | Prospects.ac.uk
- EmployAbility - advice and opportunities for disabled and dyslexic students and graduates
- targetjobs article - Should you disclose a disability when applying for a graduate job?
Careers Service online presentations
These Careers Service presentations discuss sharing information about a disability with an employer. There are insights from Careers Service staff, students, and a graduate recruiter.
- What are the advantages of sharing information about my disability with an employer? (3:06 mins)
- What are the disadvantages of sharing information about a disability with an employer? (1:43 mins)
- If I decide to, when should I share information with an employer about my disability? (3:01 mins)
- If I decide to share information about my disability, what do I need to say to the employer? (1:46 mins)
- Where can I get more help in relation to sharing information about my disability? (2:08 mins)
More help
You can get free expert advice via our Next Generation Inclusive University partnership with EmployAbility
The Careers Service can talk to you about a disability, neurodivergence or mental health condition.
Support and advice from the Careers Service
- we can organise extra support, such as longer one-to-one sessions for disabled students. Please contact us if you need materials in other formats, or adjustments to access our resources
- we advertise opportunities and events specifically for disabled students
- you can convert our documents into alternative formats using SensusAccess
- on campus events are in accessible venues. If you have any questions or specific requirements, please contact us
- you can also get free expert advice via our Next Generation Inclusive University partnership with EmployAbility
See our accessibility statement for more details of what we offer.
EmployAbility
EmployAbility are a not for profit organisation. They offer and charge employers for consultancy services. This means that they can provide free support to further the rights of disabled people.
You can use them as well as the services you can get from the Careers Service
They support neurodivergent and disabled students and students with a mental health condition. You do not need to have an official diagnosis to access them. They also help graduates. You can ask them if you aren't sure if you are eligible.
EmployAbility:
- can provide you with personalised advice and support. They give advice about your rights and adjustments for recruitment and the workplace
- can support you with your application
- will advocate for you with an employer to ensure you receive the right adjustments
- work with inclusive employer partners, running first year, internship and graduate programmes
- have vacation schemes and training contract opportunities
- offer employer insight days, networking events and skills workshops
Register with EmployAbility to access their services.
Disability and neurodiversity friendly recruiters
We have information below about employers who state they are disability and/or neurodiversity friendly.
Disability friendly recruiters
- Business Disability Forum - disability positive employers are members of the forum.
- Disability Jobsite - vacancies site, with advice for job seekers and employers
- Evenbreak - job board with opportunities from a wide range of inclusive employers
- GOV.UK - list of employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme
- Leonard Cheshire Disability - internship and professional development programme
- My Plus Students' Club - lists graduate recruiters who are 'great with disability'.
- MyPlus Professionals jobs board - jobs with disability confident employers. Advertises roles for professionals/experienced hires.
- Shaw Trust - supports disabled people to source employment
Neurodiversity friendly recruiters
- Auticon - technology careers for autistic professionals
- Exceptional Individuals - neurodiversity consulting, recruitment, and employment support. They work with employers and individuals with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and autism
- Genius Within - specialise in inclusion and support for neurominorities
- National Autistic Society Autism at Work Programme - employment training, workplace support, job coaching training and moving on.
Useful resources
The resources below offer more advice and information on disability and neurodiversity in relation to careers.
Useful resources for disabled applicants
- AbilityNet - help people with any disability to use technology
- Access to Work - government scheme. Gives advice and support with costs for disabled employees
- AGCAS - Psychometric tests, a guide for disabled candidates
- Association of Disabled Professionals - advice, information and peer support for disabled professionals
- Blind in Business - support blind and partially sighted graduates
- Disability Rights UK - work issue information, including benefits, careers, education and leadership.
- EmployMyAbility - employability skills for disabled students. Includes advice on sharing information about a disability
- Equality and Human Rights Commission - disability related legalisation and advice
- Mind - resources for mental health in the workplace
- MyPlusStudents’ Club - employment support, advice and resources
- Remploy - employment advice, training and placements for disabled people
- SCOPE - employment support services for working-age disabled people
- Securing work experience as a disabled candidate: how-to guide – advice from Guardian Careers
Useful resources for neurodivergent applicants
- Watch our recording of EmployAbility's session from May 2021. Neurodiversity - Breaking Down Invisible Barriers (60.17). This explores hidden career barriers for disabled and neurodiverse candidates. It also looks at how we can navigate and overcome them.
- British Dyslexia Association - information for those in or seeking employment
- Lexxic - advice on creating environments that are accommodating for neurodivergent employees
- Neurodiversity Hub - support, resources and opportunities for neurodivergent students
- Neurodiversity - friendly graduate employers and how to find them – advice from targetjobs.co.uk
Autism specific resources
- Employability toolkit IMAGE Project - supports autistic students to develop employability skills and demonstrate strengths to employers
- Employability skills for autistic students and graduates – free online employability course made with and for autistic people
- National Autistic Society Autism at Work Programme - employment training, workplace support and job coaching
- National Autism Society: Finding employment - free online course
Get free expert advice on reasonable adjustments via our Next Generation Inclusive University partnership with EmployAbility.
See more about EmployAbility and what they offer above.
You can discuss asking for reasonable adjustments with a careers consultant.
Gender
Discrimination, harassment, or victimisation because of a person’s sex is unlawful. The Equality Act 2010 covers this and applies to both females and males.
Gender reassignment or sexual orientation are in a separate section of the act, under LGBTQ+.
There are a few exceptions where the sex of the candidate is an occupational requirement. This would be in the job specification.
Gender and positive action recruitment initiatives
Your gender will not affect the graduate employers you can apply to. However, there are still sectors dominated by certain genders. Some employers take part in positive action recruitment initiatives. These address gender-related underrepresentation in their industries. They include awards, internships, and insight programmes.
Examples include:
- targetjobs events - female only career events in conjunction with graduate employers
- The targetjobs Female Undergraduate of the Year Award
- The targetjobs Virtual Insight Day for the Modern Engineers Graduate Programme
- The targetjobs IT’s not just boys event
- Winning Women - Undergraduate - insight programme for J.P. Morgan
- Women Engineering Society - current and upcoming employment events
More information
- Sex discrimination | Equality and Human Rights Commission (equalityhumanrights.com)
- Search and compare gender pay gap data - Gender pay gap service - GOV.UK (gender-pay-gap.service.gov.uk)
- Guardian 300 employer rankings by gender
- Members of the Employment Network for Equality & Inclusion
- Modern Muse - aims to empower women to make informed career decisions. Lists companies with commitment to gender diversity
- Fawcett Society – support women's equality and rights in work and in public life
- UK employment law, recruitment and the workplace: an explainer (targetjobs.co.uk) – includes information on sex discrimination
- Equal pay: information and guidance from Acas
- Tips you can’t miss for career success as a woman in STEM
LGBTQ+
Employers cannot lawfully discriminate against anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+. It’s your decision if you want to share your sexual orientation to an employer. The Equality Act 2010 means if you do want to share your sexual orientation, you are legally protected.
An employer can't discriminate if you have the protected characteristic of gender reassignment. A wide range of people identify as trans. The Equality Act protects you if you have proposed, started, or completed a process to change your sex.
This applies during the application process as well as when you are in the workplace.
LGBTQ+ friendly employers
Many employers recognise the benefits of recruiting a diverse workforce. Some run programmes, internships and insight days designed for LGBTQ+ students and graduates.
The following sites feature employers who encourage applications from LGBTQ+ students and graduates:
- Proud Employers - jobs and internships with inclusive employers from LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall
- Members of the Employment Network for Equality & Inclusion
- Jobs (consortium.lgbt)
- LGBTJobs – vacancies with - LGBT+ inclusive employers
- Stonewall - Transrights - employers committed to valuing transgender employees
More information
- Equality & Diversity - information from targetjobs.
- Sexual Orientation Discrimination - advice from the Human Rights Commission.
- LGBT Foundation - information and advice.
- Stonewall - campaign group supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
- Regard – support for LGBTQ+ disabled people
- Article from Bright Network on Launching your career as an LGBT graduate
- Gender Reassignment – advice from the Human Rights Commission.
- ILGA - work with over 700 LGBTQ+ member organisations across Europe and Central Asia on Human Rights.
- The Queer Student Awards - Coming out at work – YouTube video.
- InterEngineering - greater inclusion in engineering for LGBTQ+ people
Race and ethnicity
The Equality Act 2010 made it illegal for an employer to discriminate because of race or ethnicity. The Act protects you from direct or indirect discrimination and from harassment or victimisation based on your race.
More information
- Equality & Diversity and your future job hunt
- Race - What the Equality Act means for you
- Race for Opportunity - campaign to improve employment opportunities across the UK
Race and ethnic diversity committed employers
Many employers commit to creating a diverse workplace.
These resources list graduate employers that have signed up to specific race diversity initiatives.
- The Business in the Community Race at Work Charter – lists employers with a commitment to improve equality of opportunity in the workplace.
- Members of the Employment Network for Equality & Inclusion
- Top 75 UK Employers for social mobility - data from the Social Mobility Foundation
- FT Europe’s most inclusive companies as ranked by employees
Race and ethnicity and positive action recruitment initiatives
Some employers take part in positive action recruitment initiatives. These address underrepresentation in their industries. They include awards, internships, and insight programmes.
Examples include:
- 10000 Interns Foundation - paid work experience, training, and development in a range of sectors
- AFBE-UK Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers supports higher achievements in Engineering
- Bank of England Black Future Leaders Sponsorship Programme
- The Black Excellence Network - a community of aspirational black individuals. Aims to increase black presence in top UK universities, apprenticeships and careers
- Blueprint for all - support with knowledge and skills to pursue career goals. Provides a bursary for higher education study
- Colour in tech - programme to help undergraduates and graduates connect with start-ups
- RARE - application support, and recruitment for bespoke work experience placements
- Taylor Bennet Foundation - training, mentoring and work placement programme
- Uncovering Prospects - annual careers event for high potential students of black heritage. For those interested internship opportunities in Professional Services and Banking & Finance in London
- Windsor Fellowship internships with top graduate employers and a leadership programme.
- WCAN - social enterprise for the personal and professional development of black women
Legal profession specific
The legal sector has several diversity programmes, including:
- Aspiring Solicitors – work experience, competitions and networking for underrepresented groups in the legal profession
- Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme - law firms and City careers scheme
- Grassroots - Programme from the Black Solicitors Network. Working to increase access for black applicants to the legal profession
- Lawcareers.net Diversity Access Schemes- in law related organisations
- Slaughter and May Diversity scholarship for legal careers
Religion and belief
It is not lawful for an employer to discriminate against you because of your religion or belief. This is due to the Equality Act 2010.
The law protects not only those who have a recognised religion. It also covers beliefs like agnosticism, atheism, pacifism, veganism, and humanism.
Social mobility
Social mobility is the link between a person's income and occupation and that of their parents.
Socio-economic inclusion helps people to get on through their own talents and skills. It’s about making sure that people can use their talents and efforts to succeed. It ensures they aren’t held back by invisible barriers. The same career opportunities should be open to you if you come from a lower income household. It applies if you were the first in your family to attend university and/or in receipt of a means tested grant.
Social mobility is becoming high on the agenda for graduate recruiters. Many employers are now choosing to record the social background of applicants. They want a more diverse workforce and the benefits that brings.
Employers committed to social mobility
The following list employers dedicated to creating a socially diverse workforce:
- Social Mobility Index – lists employers that are taking action to improve diversity and social mobility
- Members of the Social Mobility Compact - Government initiative. Employers commit to opening their doors to people from all backgrounds
- Employment Network for Equality & Inclusion - membership list
- British Council Generation UK - boosts the employability and job prospects of UK students
- Members — Purpose Coalition - employers who have worked with this social mobility organisation
In some professions there are schemes in place to offer opportunities, support and funding for students from certain socio-economic backgrounds.
Examples include:
- Civil Service Summer Diversity Internship - open to those from less advantaged backgrounds
- CRCC Asia Scholarship - enables students to take part in the China Internship Programme
- Law Diversity Access Scheme - scholarship programme. Addresses barriers to the solicitors’ profession faced by those from less advantaged backgrounds
- Carol Blake Open Doors Project for publishing - encourages candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds to enter the publishing industry
- Royal Television Society Bursary - awarded to talented students from lower-income backgrounds studying an undergraduate degree or HND Level 5 or 6. Candidates need to evidence an interest in pursuing a career in television, film or related media industries
Social mobility at Newcastle University
Resources specific to students at Newcastle University include:
- Make It Happen Fund - supports Newcastle University students and recent graduate with their career development. Use this bursary to enhance your skills and experience, access or create opportunities. You can also explore starting a business or self-employment. Applicants who meet the criteria can apply for a bursary of up to £250 to support with the costs of job relocation
- 93% Club Newcastle at Newcastle University Students Union. This student led society is part of a national award-winning foundation that supports state educated university students. They run career insight sessions, employability sessions and networking sessions
More information
- Equality & Diversity - Social & Class Issues - explore your rights
- Sutton Trust - Think Tank aiming to improving social mobility through education
- Social Mobility Foundation - improving social mobility of people from lower-income backgrounds
- UpReach - help improve the potential of disadvantaged students from across the UK. They use technology to deliver personalised programmes of support
- Tipstart - offer a social mobility mentoring scheme