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Discrimination (Sex and Related Characteristics) (Jersey) Regulations 201-

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

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  • demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision

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The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 17 April 2015:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2015-0032

Decision Summary Title :

DS Lodge Sex Discrimination Regulations

Date of Decision Summary:

17 April 2015

Decision Summary Author:

Policy Principal

Decision Summary:

Public or Exempt?

Public

Type of Report:

Oral or Written?

Written

Person Giving

Oral Report:

NA

Written Report

Title :

WR Accompanying report -Lodge Sex Discrimination Regulations

Date of Written Report:

17 April 2015

Written Report Author:

Policy Principal

Written Report :

Public or Exempt?

Public

Subject: Lodge the draft Discrimination (Sex and Related Characteristics) (Jersey) Regulations 201-  

Decision(s): The Minister decided to lodge ‘au Greffe’ the draft Discrimination (Sex and Related Characteristics) (Jersey) Regulations 201-.

Reason(s) for Decision: The draft Discrimination (Sex and Related Characteristics) (Jersey) Regulations 201- (the ‘draft Regulations’) would amend the Discrimination (Jersey) Law 2013 from 1 September 2015 to introduce four new protected characteristics – sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and pregnancy and maternity. The draft Regulations would also make provision for appropriate exceptions for certain situations where treatment based on a protected characteristic is either justified, or occurs in circumstances where the law should not interfere. The Discrimination Law itself came into force on 1 September 2014 along with race as the first protected characteristic. The Discrimination Law will apply in the same way to the four new characteristics as it currently applies to race.  The draft Regulations have been developed and refined following consultation with stakeholders during 2014 and 2015. Further protected characteristics (age and disability) will be proposed in a phased approach (2016 to 2018) following further public consultation.

Resource Implications: Policy development, advice, conciliation and enforcement - For 2015, a budget of £168,550 is available which includes the cost of the advisory, conciliation and mediation services provided by JACS and CAB, as well as the cost of providing an enforcement service via the Tribunal. States Human Resources – Any work and associated costs that are required to review staff policies and provide staff training to support non-discriminatory behaviour will be undertaken as part of the ongoing Public Sector Reform programme. The potential cost of defending any discrimination complaints against the States in relation to the four new protected characteristics will be met from within existing resources. It is difficult to predict the potential and future costs of the Human Resources and Law Officers’ Departments time, particularly as there has not yet been a discrimination complaint to the Tribunal against the States’ Employment Board.

Action required: Policy Principal to request the Greffier of the States to arrange to lodge the draft Regulations ‘au Greffe’ on 21 April, to be listed for the States sitting of 2 June 2015 with the debate to immediately precede the debate of the draft Employment (Amendment of Law) (Jersey) Regulations 201- (MD-S-2015-0029.) Policy Principal to provide copies of a consolidated version of the Discrimination Law to the Bookshop and request that the Greffier of the States arranges for that document to be circulated to States Members to accompany the Proposition, but not as part of the Proposition itself.

Signature:

 

 

Position:

 

 

Date Signed:

 

 

Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

 

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