The EOC has released the February 2022 issue of The EO Beat, a revamped version of its periodical which dissects trending issues from an anti-discrimination perspective and highlights recent work of the Commission.

Formerly known as Equality Perspectives and distributed as a newspaper supplement, the publication is now completely virtual, honouring the EOC’s continued commitment to protecting the environment.

“Upholding equality in the COVID-19 era”, the cover story in this issue, explains the protections under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance, particularly how the provisions on indirect discrimination may apply to blanket vaccine mandates implemented by employers. It is submitted that employees with certain pre-existing illnesses who have received advice against inoculation from a recognised medical practitioner might be disproportionately and negatively affected by these blanket requirements, as they cannot comply with them.

While such policies are often connected to a legitimate objective, i.e. containing the spread of the virus, employers are recommended to ensure that they are proportionate and justifiable, e.g. by considering alternative measures for the employees concerned and assessing the risks objectively with reference to the nature and requirements of the relevant job.

The periodical also features some of the EOC’s latest initiatives, from the launch of an Instagram profile and the release of the Equal Opportunities Awareness Survey 2021 to the fruition of the Commission’s 25th anniversary programme. Download the periodical now and learn more. 

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