Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) in Practice

What is an Equality Impact Assessment?

An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is a means of re-focusing services, organisations and/or employment practices onto the needs of diverse communities or particular groups of workers.

It is a process of analysing a proposed or existing service, strategy, policy or project, with the aim of identifying the effects, or likely effects, a particular decision may have on different groups within the community. EIA seeks to eliminate or minimise adverse consequences for minority groups and ensure the promotion of equality is maximised.

Undertaking an equality impact assessment will

• help you to identify and meet the needs of a diverse customer base
• assist in Service and Business Planning
• comply with the law under the Race  Relation (Amendment) Act 2000

The Benefits

• help with driving up quality and performance
• improve service delivery to diverse groups and customer satisfaction
• increase diversity within the organisation
• help identify discrimination

Ask yourself whether:

• your policies, procedures, practices or strategies have an adverse effect on particular groups within or outside of your organisation?
• your policies, procedures, practices or strategies promote equal opportunities?

If your answer is yes to the first question and no to the second, contact us as we can help you discharge legal obligations.