Explore every episode of the podcast The Pathways to Equity Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1E21 - Summary of Episodes 7-19 | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:07:21 | |
In this second summary episode, we synthesise the journey from public service duties to the modern frontiers of leadership. We explore the "anticipatory duty" in education and services, the proactive requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), and the vital distinction between positive action and positive discrimination. We also tackle the complexities of intersectionality and digital accessibility, while providing a clear-eyed look at the "Risk Iceberg" and how to handle grievances without falling into the trap of victimisation. This episode is for senior leaders, public sector workers, and service providers who want to move beyond "minimum compliance" and build a resilient, high-performing culture. Free guidance is available at pathwaystoequity.org.ukFollow us on Instagram at @pathways.to.equity | |||
| S1E20 - Summary of Episodes 1-6 | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:05:45 | |
In this fifteen-minute special, we synthesise the core building blocks of the Equality Act 2010. We move beyond the basics to provide a comprehensive refresher on the legal "rules of the road." We revisit the nine protected characteristics in detail, break down the "four pillars" of discrimination (Direct, Indirect, Harassment, and Victimisation), and explore the powerful duty of reasonable adjustments. We also tackle the "banter" myth, explaining why impact always trumps intent in the eyes of the law. This episode is for leaders, managers, and teams who need a solid, nuanced understanding of the framework that governs a fair and compliant workplace. Free guidance is available at pathwaystoequity.org.ukFollow us on Instagram at @pathways.to.equity | |||
| S1E19 - What good Equality Act practice actually looks like | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:04:01 | |
Good Equality Act practice is not flashy — it is consistent, thoughtful and embedded. In this five-minute episode, we explain what effective equality practice looks like in reality, beyond minimum legal compliance. This episode is for anyone trying to move from compliance to confidence. Free tools are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E18 - Risk, reputation and compliance | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:04:24 | |
In this five-minute episode, we explain how equality failures escalate, why early action matters, and how defensiveness often makes things worse. We look at the "Risk Iceberg"—why the legal bill is often the smallest part of a claim compared to the long-term damage to your brand. This episode is for organisations that want to reduce risk without fear-driven decision-making. Free guidance is available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk Follow us on Instagram at @pathways.to.equity | |||
| S1E17 - Leadership responsibility under the Equality Act | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:04:38 | |
Equality Act compliance is not just an HR issue — it is a leadership responsibility. In this five-minute episode, we explain why leadership decisions shape equality outcomes, where responsibility really sits, and how disengagement creates risk. This episode is for senior leaders, boards and decision-makers. Free leadership resources are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E16 - Accessibility and digital spaces | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:03:54 | |
In this five-minute episode, we explain how equality failures escalate, why early action matters, and how defensiveness often makes things worse. This episode is for organisations that want to reduce risk without fear-driven decision-making. Free guidance is available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E15 - Policies that discriminate | 15 Feb 2026 | 00:04:38 | |
In this five-minute episode, we explain how well-meaning policies can accidentally create barriers, why "consistency" isn't always fair, and how to identify indirect discrimination before it becomes a liability. We look at the "objective justification" test and how to build flexibility into your systems. This episode is for HR professionals and policy-makers who want to stress-test their rules without over-complicating the process. Free guidance is available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk Follow us on Instagram at @pathways.to.equity | |||
| S1E14 - Intersectionality and the Equality Act | 12 Feb 2026 | 00:05:46 | |
Real lives do not fit into neat legal categories — and discrimination rarely happens one characteristic at a time. In this five-minute episode, we explain intersectionality, how it shows up in real systems, and where equality law struggles to keep up. This episode is for anyone designing policy, services or workplaces. Free resources are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E13 - Complaints, grievances and tribunals | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:05:27 | |
Most Equality Act cases do not start in a tribunal — they start with how organisations respond to concerns. In this five-minute episode, we explain what actually happens when equality issues become complaints, why victimisation often creates greater risk than the original issue, and how responses shape outcomes. This episode is for employers, HR professionals and leaders. Free practical tools are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E12 - Equality Act myths people confidently get wrong | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:06:03 | |
Equality law is surrounded by myths — and those myths create real problems. In this five-minute episode, we tackle the most common misunderstandings about the Equality Act 2010, including “we treat everyone the same,” “we didn’t mean it,” and “doing nothing is safer.” This episode is for leaders, managers and teams who want clarity rather than confusion. Free myth-busting resources are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E11 - What the Equality Act does not cover | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:06:15 | |
The Equality Act 2010 is powerful — but it does not cover every unfair situation. In this five-minute episode, we explain what equality law does not do, why not all poor behaviour is unlawful discrimination, and how misunderstanding the limits of the law creates confusion and risk. This episode is for anyone navigating complaints, conflict or grey areas at work or in education. Free explainers are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E10 - Positive action vs positive discrimination | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:05:37 | |
Positive action is lawful. Positive discrimination usually isn’t. The difference matters. In this five-minute episode, we explain what positive action allows under the Equality Act 2010, where organisations often panic unnecessarily, and how to take proportionate steps without crossing legal lines. This episode is for employers, leaders and organisations trying to improve representation without fear or confusion. Free guidance is available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E9 - The Public Sector Equality Duty explained | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:05:45 | |
The Public Sector Equality Duty is one of the most powerful — and most misunderstood — parts of the Equality Act 2010. In this five-minute episode, we explain what the duty actually requires, who it applies to, and why equality must be considered at the point decisions are made, not after they are announced. This episode is for anyone working in or with the public sector. Free PSED resources are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E8 - The Equality Act in education: schools, colleges and universities | 22 Jan 2026 | 00:05:56 | |
Education often sees itself as fair and merit-based - but equality law tells a more complicated story. In this five-minute episode, we explain how the Equality Act 2010 applies in schools, colleges and universities, including admissions, teaching, assessment, reasonable adjustments and harassment. This episode is for educators, students, leaders and anyone working in education who wants clarity without legal jargon. Free education-focused resources are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk Follow us on Instagram at @pathways.to.equity For training or advice, email hello@pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E7 - The Equality Act in services and public spaces | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:04:06 | |
The Equality Act 2010 applies far beyond the workplace — including shops, venues, transport, healthcare and online services. In this five-minute episode, we explain how equality law applies to services and public spaces, what the anticipatory duty means in practice, and why relying on rigid policies often creates legal risk rather than reducing it. This episode is for service providers, public bodies and anyone interested in access, inclusion and everyday equality. Free resources are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E6 - “Just banter?” Harassment and hostile environments | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:04:26 | |
Harassment under the Equality Act 2010 is widely misunderstood — and “just banter” is not a legal defence. In this five-minute episode, we explain what harassment actually means in law, why intent is less important than impact, and how hostile environments are created long before anyone raises a formal complaint. We also look at why ignoring behaviour is never neutral. This episode is for anyone responsible for people, culture or behaviour at work, in education or in public-facing roles. Free Equality Act resources are available at pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E5 - The Equality Act at work: For employers, managers and HR | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:05:38 | |
Most Equality Act breaches at work aren’t intentional - they’re built into everyday systems. In this five-minute episode, we explore how equality law applies across recruitment, policies, pay, progression and complaints. We explain why “culture fit,” rigid attendance rules and poorly handled grievances create legal risk, and how victimisation often emerges after someone speaks up. This episode is for employers, managers and HR professionals who want to understand equality law in practice - not just on paper. Free workplace Equality Act resources are available at http://www.pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E4 - Reasonable Adjustments - what reasonable actually means | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:04:41 | |
Reasonable adjustments are one of the strongest legal duties in the Equality Act 2010 - and one of the most misunderstood. In this five-minute episode, we explain what reasonable adjustments are, when the legal duty applies, and why “fairness to everyone else” isn’t the test people think it is. We look at common myths, real-world examples, and why adjustments are about removing barriers, not giving special treatment. This episode is for employers, educators, service providers and anyone navigating accessibility and disability in practice. You can find free reasonable adjustment guides and tools at http://www.pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E3 - Protected Characteristics - What they are and why they matter | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:05:55 | |
The Equality Act 2010 protects people based on nine specific characteristics - but confusion about what these actually mean causes problems everywhere. In this five-minute episode, we explain what protected characteristics are, why they exist, and how they apply in real-world situations. We unpack common misunderstandings about disability, age, gender reassignment, religion or belief, and sexual orientation, and explain why “treating everyone the same” often misses the point. This episode is for anyone who wants clarity on who the Equality Act protects — and how those protections actually work. Free resources and visual explainers are available at http://www.pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E2 - What counts as discrimination under the Equality Act? | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:05:14 | |
Discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 isn’t always obvious - and it’s rarely just about bad intentions. In this five-minute episode, we break down what discrimination actually means in law, including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation. We explain why impact matters more than intent, how “neutral” rules can cause real harm, and why many organisations fall into legal risk without realising it. This episode is for anyone who wants a clear, practical understanding of discrimination - without legal jargon or scare tactics. You can find free Equality Act resources, infographics and explainers at http://www.pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||
| S1E1 - The Equality Act: Explained in 5 Minutes | 11 Jan 2026 | 00:04:41 | |
A quick, no-nonsense breakdown of the Equality Act 2010. What it covers, who it protects, and how it shows up in real life. Clear, practical and actually useful. Free guides, videos and infographics at http://www.pathwaystoequity.org.uk | |||