Caring/ Dependency

  1. Definition
  2. Equality Law
  3. Policy & Guidance
  4. OU Resources
  5. External Resources

Definition

Caring and dependency includes people with responsibilities for caring for children with disabilities, dependent adults and adults with disabilities.

 

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Equality Law

Equality Act 2010

Discrimination by association

Caring and dependency are not protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. However, it is direct discrimination if an education provider or employer treats a person less favourably because of their association with another person who has a protected characteristic (this does not apply to marriage and civil partnership or pregnancy and maternity).

Discrimination by association can occur in various ways, for example, where an employee or student has a relationship of parent, son or daughter, partner, carer or friend of someone with a protected characteristic such as disability or age. The association with the other person need not be a permanent one.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Applies in Northern Ireland)

The protected characteristic of dependency is subject to the duty placed on public authorities (which includes the OU) to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity:

  • Between persons of different age, religious belief, political opinion, racial group, marital status or sexual orientation.
  • Between men and women generally.
  • Between persons with a disability and persons without.
  • Between persons with dependants and persons without.

This entails more than the elimination of discrimination and requires proactive measures to be taken to ensure equality for people with caring and dependency responsibilities in our policies and decision-making.

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Policy & Guidance

Equality Scheme

Caring and dependency responsibilities is one of the protected characteristics within our Equality Scheme

Employment Policies

The University has several policies that are likely to support staff with caring responsibilities. They are available to staff on the Human Resources intranet site and include

  • Leave policy
  • Flexible working policy
  • Home working policy
  • Bullying and harassment policy.

Recruitment Guidance

The University's Effective Recruitment and Selection Guide and the online recruitment training provides practical advice on fair, efficient and effective practice in the recruitment and selection of all categories of staff, in line with our equality and diversity policies. 

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OU Resources

Students

Open SU connects students with support, resources, opportunities, and each other. 

OU Staff

Care and Caring Network @OU

The network comprises 4 subgroups: widening participation/student support; curriculum and resources for carers; carer research; staff who care.  The objectives of the groups are to:

  • collaborate on projects
  • share knowledge on care, carers and caring issues within and beyond the University
  • contribute to curriculum development around care, carers and caring
  • facilitate support for the rights of students and staff who care

Employee Assistance Programme

OU staff have access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which is a support/ counselling service and covers a range of issues such as sickness, family issues, finances etc.  Information about the programme is available to staff from the People Services intranet site.

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External Resources

You may find the following external resources useful.

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photographer: John Birdsall