Nottingham solicitors Fraser Brown is warning that businesses could find themselves facing discrimination claims if they are not completely up-to-date with changes being implemented under the Equality Act 2010.

The majority of provisions of The Equality Act come into force on October 1, bringing the existing laws on discrimination under one umbrella but also introducing new measures intended to improve equality and diversity in the workplace.

The Act largely restates the existing law on discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation as well as going further with changes including introducing new categories of discrimination, and the creation of additional duties for public sector bodies.

Key changes will also prevent employers from asking pre-employment health questions in most circumstances and will allow employees to find out what their colleagues of the opposite sex are being paid.

Tony Russell, Head of Employment at Fraser Brown, said, "The Equality Act is a particularly significant piece of legislation because of its scope and the impact it can have on businesses of all sizes.

"Any acts of discrimination that took place entirely before October 1 will continue to be dealt with under the old laws but any continuing situations that include dates after October 1 will fall under the new rules. In addition employees will be able to bring separate claims under the old and new laws if they relate to different acts of discrimination either side of the implementation date. It is therefore imperative that employers are fully aware of the key points or seek advice to ensure they don't fall foul of the new law."