Law Society Controversy

Name:

Course:

Tutor:

Institution:

Date:

1
Executive Summary

The joint statement "we are all equal before the law" guides most contemporary countries.

Law is a collection of regulations developed and implemented by governmental or social

systems to control acts or behavior. Typically, regulations vary across states and nations. In

addition, laws give people fundamental rights that protect them from all forms of

discrimination. Society may be described as a collection of people who live in an organized

community and sometimes share cultural systems. The primary purpose of this assessment is

to understand the importance of legal laws governed and implemented by the government of

the United Kingdom. The chosen field of law in the United Kingdom is disability laws in the

workplace. So, further, the project will continue to explain the issues in implementing labor

laws in the United Kingdom.

2
 Table of Contents
Executive Summary...................................................................................................................2

Introduction................................................................................................................................4

Analysis of Societal Opinion.....................................................................................................5

Legislation and Case Law..........................................................................................................7

Conclusion..................................................................................................................................9

References................................................................................................................................10

3
Introduction

The newly enacted legislation in the United Kingdom has somewhat limited

prejudice. Everyone, regardless of class, color, or ethnicity, should live by the principles of

liberty and equality. A competent legal system should consider "equality before the law." A

judicial system's operational model should account for the general populace and the

oppressed. An intelligent judicial system should be able to evaluate the activities and

behavior of any person, regardless of their history, designation, or social standing. This study

will concentrate on women as a social group (Cotter, 2018).

In contemporary times, women confront discrimination in sectors such as education,

work, training, housing, and service supply. Women's discrimination is a kind of sex

discrimination. Sex discrimination may be described as the unjust treatment of a person based

on gender. This implies that both men and women might experience sexual harassment. In

terms of income, perks, and advancement, several women face discrimination in the

workplace. In this instance, the study will concentrate on workplace discrimination against

women. The Equality Act of 2010 is an example of a law that ensures that persons are treated

equally regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender. It was also used in the case of Samira Ahmed

(Appellant) v. British Broadcasting Corporation, UK (Khan, 2019).

The point when somebody unreasonably gets someone due to an ailment is known as

separation. Victimization of individuals with handicaps comes in many structures. An

individual with an inability is dealt with less well because of their condition or impediment.

For example, assuming an individual is denied a spot in an instructional class because the

business accepts that the individual will experience difficulty arriving (Johnson, 2020). At the

point when a work environment system or rule, like a difficult-to-reach work bottle,

inadvertently disservices an incapacitated individual. When a collaborator offers overly

critical remarks regarding a handicap, what is "fair" relies upon the gig and the business;

4
there is no widespread meaning. Notwithstanding, assuming something is basic and

reasonable to execute, however, the company hasn't, this can comprise incapacity separation.

Segregation comes in different structures, some more muddled than others, like

separation "emerging from" a handicap and cooperative segregation. In any case, there are

chiefly two kinds of separation: immediate and roundabout. Circuitous segregation happens

when laborers are put in a difficult spot because of their safeguarded quality rather than direct

break. This occurs when a specialist deals less well than others because of their protected

trademark. Separation assurance is set up at each level of the business cycle, including

recruiting, advancement, and end. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, those with delayed

COVID might be viewed as handicapped. Clinically, many people with handicaps are

currently at high risk for the disease (Colburn, 2022).

Analysis of Societal Opinion

Media may influence the perceptions, mentalities, and behaviors of individuals.

Consequently, strategy interventions, including extensive communications letters, have been

directed at everyday activities that contribute to and promote orientation violence. Previous

research indicates that the media has two types of effects: direct (personal) individual effects

and indirect (social) effects (public). The inclusion of new media norms may influence people

to recognize them due to their unique products. Because people are compelled to accept data

if they believe others are doing the same, the information has a social impact that expands a

standard's recognition and enhances social coordination. Since we are now confronted with a

daily reality in which data dominates all aspects of life, it follows that the media serves as the

necessary means of connection and communication in our digital era. The media influence

both societal and individual lives efficiently. As with everything else, social orders are

susceptible to and need extensive contacts (Priester, 2018).

5
 A media-promoted program is essential, especially for developing individual, societal,

and cultural brands, but it also facilitates heinous abuses. Media may affect social capital and

individuals without dispute. The media is a significant source of cultural transformation

motivation. Broad communications, which arrange and glorify the general public and societal

viewpoints, are unquestionably regarded as the fourth pillar of a majority-rule government

and are the primary instruments for empowering and oppressing people (Jackson, 2018).

In the current era of media globalization, when data enable everything, the media

drives and enacts all forms of change, according to the consensus of public opinion. It raises

public consciousness to a profound level. When social industrialists use their titles and

influence for good, the media often trails behind. Approximately 1 billion people, or 15% of

the overall population, are now disabled. Evidence demonstrates that people with disabilities

are disproportionately represented among the world's poor and generally live in less fortunate

situations than those without disabilities in industrialized and developing nations. Individuals

with disabilities are often undervalued financially and socially, contrary to fundamental

liberties and a key development roadblock (Alkiviadou, 2019).

Our diverse populace, which includes people with disabilities, is capable of working

on fundamental civil freedoms and advancing progress for everybody. The media's stories

and images substantially impact societal values and public perception. Rarely do the media

portray those with disabilities, and when they do, they often generalize them poorly and fail

to portray them accurately. As they fight to recover from a debilitating illness, it is common

for persons with disabilities to be seen as deserving of pity, aid, or medical attention.

Alternatively, they may be portrayed as godlike humans who have performed extraordinary

feats to move those who are not disabled (Sang, 2022).

6
 The media may be essential for promoting mindfulness, combating shame, and

disseminating information. Changing societal perspectives and presenting persons with

disabilities as unique individuals who contribute to human diversity may be a's greatest

strengths. The media may successfully maintain a compelling and productive mix of people

with disabilities in all aspects of social life by shedding light on and providing information

about handicap concerns and the range of people with disabilities and their situations. In

reality, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires nations to promote

equality and combat discrimination against people with disabilities. One way to do this is to

request that news media portray persons with disabilities in a manner that respects their

fundamental rights. To treat disability as an essential aspect of daily life, it is vital to

concentrate on how things are portrayed in the media (Dorfman, 2019).

Legislation and Case Law

Legislation

Equality Act 2010

The 2010 Equality Act protects people against discrimination in society and the

workplace. This law was able to substitute for several anti-discrimination regulations, making

it easier to comprehend the many facets of prejudice. Additionally, it increased the

safeguarding of individual rights in certain circumstances (McGillivray, 2021).

The Equality Act of 2010 explains the different illegal ways an individual may be

treated. “The Sex Discrimination Act of 1975, the Race Relations Act of 1976, the

Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations of 2003, the Employment Equality

(Sexual Orientation) Regulations of 2007, the Equality Act of 2006, the Employment

Equality (Age) Regulations of 2006, and the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 existed

before the Equality Act of 2010.”

7
 The Equality Act of 2010 establishes a variety of workplace regulations. For example,

the Act permits citizens to demand equal working conditions for men and women. In

addition, the Act may be utilized to make pay confidentiality agreements enforceable (Ferri,

2018).

Equal Pay Act 1970

The Equal Pay Act of 1970 safeguards the rights of both genders by promoting equal

treatment of workers in terms of compensation. The Act stipulates that if a woman's function

in the workplace is identical to that of a male, the attention should be on the individual

obligations of both the man and the woman. If there are disparities in what they perform, then

the size, type, and frequency of such differences should be addressed. In establishing whether

workers execute labor of comparable worth, it is vital to ascertain if the fundamental

variables are considered. These elements include the type of work performed by each person,

the additional training for the position, and the working environment in which the work is

completed. If these elements are identical, the workers may execute the same task or be

compared.

Therefore, their remuneration should be the same irrespective of gender so long as the

needs or qualifications for the job are comparable.

Case Laws

“Samira Ahmed (Appellant) v British Broadcasting Corporation, UK (Respondents)

[2018].”

In this case law, Samira Ahmed brought an equal pay claim against the British

Broadcasting Corporation before a tribunal. Ms. Samira Ahmed said that her work in the tv

service as the broadcaster of the Newswatch show from October 2012 to the time of the trial

was identical to that of Jeremy Vine, who presented another BBC program called Points of

View beginning in the middle of 2008. Jeremy earned 3,000 Euros every episode, while Ms.

8
Samira was paid 440 € per episode. Since Ms. Samira Ahmed was born less than Jeremy

Vine for doing the same job, she asserted that the sex equality rule was being disregarded.

Since the conditions of Samira Ahmed's contract were less favorable compared to those of

Jeremy Vine's, she sought a revision so that she might get a wage raise.

The Equal Pay Act of 1970 is a statute on equal pay that defines "equality of terms." This Act

guarantees equal payment for men and women who perform equivalent job obligations. This

necessitates the inclusion of a sex equality provision in all employment contracts to ensure

that all genders are treated equally. This case demonstrates the reality of wage discrimination

based on gender. In certain companies, women often earn less than males.

“Mrs. Chudleigh Geldart (Appellant) v The Commissioner of the City of London Police

(Respondent) [2018]”

In this case, Mrs. Geldart argued that, as a City of London officer, she was entitled to

the London stipend given to all Metropolitan Police officers and City of London officers. The

usual annual London allowance rate was £4,338. However, Mrs. Geldart's maternity leave

benefit ceased to be paid when her maternity pay ended. She filed a claim with the tribunal

alleging pregnancy or maternity-related discrimination. Later, Mrs. Geldart abandoned the

lawsuit and filed a new one alleging indirect discrimination. Eventually, she was able to win

the case. The City of London police department contested the decision, and the matter was

submitted to the Court of Appeal (Andrews, 2021).

The court determined that there were no rules prohibiting Mrs. Galdert from receiving

her London allowance during her maternity leave. In addition, other police officers suspended

from duty got their London allowance at all times. The Court of Appeal confirmed the

tribunal's decision. It concluded that this was "direct sex discrimination under section 13 of

the Equality Act 2010" The judge also emphasized that the Claimant was not required to

present evidence that a male colleague may have been handled differently. The primary

9
problem was that she was refused the allowance due to her maternity leave. The court fined

Mrs. Geldart $4,000 for emotional distress.

According to the 2010 Equality Act, this was an example of blatant sex discrimination since

other male officers on duty got their allowances. Still, Mrs. Geldart, who was on maternity

leave, was refused. This is a sort of occupational discrimination against women. This case

demonstrated that male workers and officers are more entitled than their female counterparts.

The Equality Act of 2010 affords oppressed women access to fairness and justice (Johnson,

2019).

Conclusion

Laws are enacted to govern the behavior of individuals in a specific location. The law also

protects individuals from different types of oppression, such as discrimination. The

legislation is intended to create a foundation for protection against harassment, victimization,

and direct and indirect discrimination. The emphasis of the article was on sex discrimination

against women. When a person is exposed to unfavorable treatment because of their gender,

this is referred to as direct sex discrimination.

In contrast, indirect discrimination entails employing a regulation or policy to

disadvantage a person of the opposite sex. The case of Mrs. Geldart featured indirect sex

discrimination, but the point of Ms. Samira Ahmed involved direct sex discrimination. Both

direct and indirect sex discrimination is prohibited under the 2010 Equality Act. Women in

society encounter prejudice in several ways. Additionally, sex discrimination may manifest as

victimization or harassment. A competent legal system should consider "equality before the

law."

10
References

Alkiviadou, N., 2019. Hate speech on social media networks: towards a regulatory

framework? Information & Communications Technology Law, 28(1), pp.19-35.

Andrews, E.E., Ayers, K.B., Brown, K.S., Dunn, D.S. and Pilarski, C.R., 2021. No body is

expendable: Medical rationing and disability justice during the COVID-19

pandemic. American Psychologist, 76(3), p.451.

Colburn, B., 2022. Disability‐based arguments against assisted dying laws.  Bioethics, 36(6),

pp.680-686.

Cotter, A.M.M., 2018. This Ability: An International Legal Analysis of Disability

Discrimination. Routledge.

Dorfman, D., 2019. Fear of the disability con: perceptions of fraud and special rights

discourse. Law & Society Review, 53(4), pp.1051-1091.

Ferri, D. and Favalli, S., 2018. Web accessibility for people with disabilities in the European

Union: Paving the road to social inclusion. Societies, 8(2), p.40.

Jackson, M.A., 2018. Models of disability and human rights: Informing the improvement of

built environment accessibility for people with disability at neighborhood

scale? Laws, 7(1), p.10.

Johnson, E. and Nettle, D., 2020. Fairness, generosity and conditionality in the welfare

system: the case of UK disability benefits. Global Discourse, pp.1-18.

Johnson, M.R., 2019. Inclusion and exclusion in the digital economy: Disability and mental

health as a live streamer on Twitch. tv. Information, Communication & Society, 22(4),

pp.506-520.

Khan, N., Korac‐Kakabadse, N., Skouloudis, A. and Dimopoulos, A., 2019. Diversity in the

workplace: An overview of disability employment disclosures among UK

11
 firms. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26(1),

pp.170-185.

McGillivray, D., O’Donnell, H., McPherson, G. and Misener, L., 2021. Repurposing the

(super) crip: Media representations of disability at the Rio 2016 Paralympic

Games. Communication & Sport, 9(1), pp.3-32.

Priester, P.E. and Ivankovich, K.C., 2018. Dirty secrets, unholy unions, and death sentences:

Disability-based oppression and privilege. Oxford University Press.

Sang, K., Colvard, T. and Remnant, J., 2022. Disability and academic careers: using the

social-relational model to reveal the role of human resource management practices in

creating disability. Work, Employment and Society, 36(4), pp.722-740.

Act, E., 2010. Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act.

Mrs. Chudleigh Geldart (Appellant) v The Commissioner of the City of London Police

(2018) Assets.publishing.service.gov.uk.2020.[online] Available at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5be2ed7e40f0b667a7c6dd60/

Mrs_C_Geldart_- v-_The_Commissioner_Of_The_City_Of_London_Police_-

Case_2207651_2017_-_Full.pdf .

Samira Ahmed (Appellant) v British Broadcasting Corporation, UK (2018)

Assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. 2020. [online] Available at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e27051940f0b62c46060d97/

Ms_S_Ahmed_- v-_BBC_-_Case_Number_2206858_2018_-_full.pdf

12