What is Section 27 of the equal opportunity Act?

Asked by: Jolie Baumbach  |  Last update: February 14, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (56 votes)

There isn't one single "Equal Opportunity Act," so Section 27 varies by jurisdiction, but generally relates to Genuine Occupational Qualifications (GOQs) allowing sex-based differentiation in specific jobs (like acting roles needing authenticity) or to equal pay/pay transparency (like California's requirement to provide pay scales). It can also refer to disability rights in federally funded programs or broader employment equity/pay equity reporting requirements, as seen in South Africa.

What is section 27 of the Equality Act?

27Victimisation

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes. (1)A person (A) victimises another person (B) if A subjects B to a detriment because— (a)B does a protected act, or. (b)A believes that B has done, or may do, a protected act.

What is the Equal Opportunity Act in simple terms?

was enacted in 1964 and made it unlawful to discriminate in employment based upon race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Act also established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to implement and enforce the Act.

What is Section 27 of the employment Act?

(1) An employer shall regulate the working hours of each employee in accordance with the provisions of this Act and any other written law.

How serious is an EEOC complaint?

An EEOC complaint is a serious legal action with significant potential consequences for employers, involving investigations, legal costs, financial penalties (like back pay, damages), policy changes, and reputational damage, while offering complainants paths to monetary relief, promotions, or policy reform, though the process is lengthy and can involve retaliation, notes BambooHR, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (.gov), Flood Law LLC, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (.gov), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (.gov). It's a formal way to challenge discrimination, but outcomes vary, with many cases settling before trial, say Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (.gov) and LawLinq. 

DEI vs. Equal Opportunity. The REAL difference.

21 related questions found

What is the average payout for EEOC claims?

The average EEOC settlement is around $40,000, but this figure hides wide variations, with many cases settling for less (like $26,500 in mediation in 2021) and severe cases reaching six or seven figures, while federal caps limit damages based on employer size ($50k-$300k). Actual amounts depend heavily on case specifics, evidence strength, attorney skill, jurisdiction, and employer size, with strong cases often resolving for $50k-$200k+. 

What are 5 examples of unfair discrimination?

Five examples of unfair discrimination include being passed over for promotion due to race or gender (racial/gender bias), paying women less for the same job as men (unequal pay), denying reasonable accommodations for a disability (disability discrimination), harassing someone for their sexual orientation (sexual orientation discrimination), or retaliating against an employee for reporting harassment (retaliation). These actions unfairly disadvantage individuals based on protected traits rather than merit, violating laws like Title VII. 

What is Section 27 of the employment Equity Act?

Section 27 requires designated employers to: Audit their employment policies, practices, and remuneration systems to identify disparities. Submit a statement of remuneration and benefits received by employees in each occupational level. Take measures to reduce disproportionate income differentials, if present.

What is considered workplace harassment?

Workplace harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic (like race, sex, religion, disability) that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment, or interferes with a person's job performance. It includes offensive jokes, slurs, name-calling, threats, intimidation, unwanted physical contact, or interfering with work. For conduct to be unlawful, it must typically be severe or pervasive enough to alter job conditions, though it can also happen through quid proquo situations (demands for favors).
 

Can an employer terminate an employee immediately?

Yes, in most U.S. states, employers can terminate an employee immediately without notice due to "at-will" employment, meaning termination can happen for any reason (or no reason) as long as it's not an illegal one, like discrimination; however, immediate firing is often reserved for severe misconduct like theft, violence, or policy violations, and some states and contracts provide exceptions, while federal law prohibits discrimination and retaliation. 

What are examples of EEO violations?

EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) violations involve discrimination or retaliation based on protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, age (40+), disability, or national origin, with examples including refusing to hire someone due to their race, sexual harassment (unwanted advances, slurs), denying promotions to pregnant women, unequal pay, or firing someone for reporting discrimination (retaliation). These actions violate laws enforced by the EEOC and cover hiring, firing, pay, training, and workplace conditions, including harassment and failure to provide reasonable accommodations. 

What are the 4 types of discrimination under the Equality Act?

If you're disabled. If you're disabled under the Equality Act, you're protected from all the main types of discrimination - direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation. You can check if you're disabled under the Equality Act.

What are my rights under the EEO Act?

Executive Order 11246, as amended, prohibits employment discrimination by Federal contractors based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, or national origin, and requires affirmative action to ensure equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

Why is article 27 important?

Article 27

Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

What is section 27?

The Section 27 Deposit Release procedure can allow a vendor to gain access to a deposit before settlement. However, the process is not as simple as it may at first appear. Here is what a vendor should do in order to have the best chance of getting hold of the deposit before settlement.

What are section 27 notices?

A Section 27 notice placed in the UK's official public record – The Gazette – and in local newspapers, is designed to protect personal representatives from claims from future creditors by notifying them when someone has passed away.

What qualifies as a hostile work environment?

A hostile work environment is a workplace with unwelcome conduct, harassment, or discrimination that is so severe or pervasive it creates an intimidating, offensive, or abusive atmosphere, making it difficult for an employee to do their job, often based on protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, or age. It's more than just an unpleasant boss; it requires a pattern of behavior that a reasonable person would find objectively hostile and that negatively impacts the work, often involving unwelcome comments, offensive jokes, or discriminatory actions. 

What are the 5 ds of harassment?

The 5Ds are different methods – Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct – that you can use to support someone who's being harassed, emphasize that harassment is not okay, and demonstrate to people in your life that they have the power to make their community safer.

How to prove you are being harassed at work?

Proving workplace harassment involves meticulous documentation (a detailed log of dates, times, people, and incidents), saving all evidence (emails, texts, photos), gathering witness statements, reporting it formally to HR or management (and documenting their response), and showing the conduct was severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile environment based on a protected characteristic (like race, gender, age, disability). Consulting an employment lawyer early is also crucial to understand your rights and options, says the EEOC. 

What are the 9 grounds of the employment Equality Act?

The 9 grounds of discrimination in Ireland are gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, religion, and membership in the Traveller community. What is the IHREC? The IHREC is the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

Which categories of employees are not protected by the Employment Equity Act?

A designated group means black people, women, or people with disabilities. The South African National Defence Force, National Intelligence Agency, and South African Secret Services are excluded from this Act.

What are the criteria for disability under the Equality Act?

You're disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

What is considered unfair treatment at work?

Unfair treatment at work is when employees are treated differently or unfavorably than others for reasons unrelated to job performance, often involving discrimination (race, gender, age, disability, etc.), harassment, bullying, unequal opportunities, unfair policies, or retaliation, which negatively impacts their experience, opportunities, or wellbeing, and can range from illegal discrimination to more subtle forms like favoritism or micromanagement. While some forms (like discrimination) are illegal, others (like low-impact bullying) are harder to address legally but still damaging. 

What is victimisation?

Victimisation is when someone is treated less favourably as a result of being involved with a discrimination or harassment complaint. Ways someone could be victimised include: being labelled a troublemaker. being left out. not being allowed to do something.

How do I prove discrimination?

Direct evidence is the best way to show that you experienced discrimination and can include verbal comments or statements written in memos, notes, emails, or other personal or professional communications.