Who is liable for acts of racial discrimination?
The 1976 Act (section 32) makes employers, in both the public and private sectors, vicariously liable for acts of unlawful discrimination by their employers, even if the employers did not approve, or even know about, the acts in question. Since 2 April 2001, this includes chief officers of police, who will be vicariously liable for all acts of discrimination by constables under their control. Employers will not be liable, however, if they can prove that they took `such steps as were reasonably practicable’ to prevent the discrimination (section 32(3)), such as following the CRE’s existing statutory codes of practice in employment and housing, or adopting the CRE’s published standards for racial equality in employment, local government and schools. 3.4 Is there a right of redress against racial discrimination? Anyone who believes they have suffered racial discrimination through the acts or omissions of a public authority, or a private or voluntary organisation, can bring proceedings und
