Public Sector Duty eLearning

Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service

We have developed a new eLearning module, called Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service to support and enable staff within public bodies to understand and meet their obligations under the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty (Public Sector Duty).

Access the Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service eLearning module

What is the Public Sector Duty?

The Public Sector  Duty is a legal obligation on public bodies, contained in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, to have regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and protect the human rights of public sector staff and service users.

It requires public bodies to Assess, Address and Report to:

  • carry out an assessment of equality and human rights issues across functions;
  • develop policies, plans and actions to address these issues; and
  • report annually on progress and achievements in relation to those actions.

What is the purpose of this elearning module?


This module is a way to support public bodies to implement the Public Sector Duty.

Through it, we seek to promote a shared understanding of equality, human rights and the Public Sector Duty for all public sector staff.

Who should take the module?

The module is suitable for all public sector staff, across all grades and functions. The protection and promotion of equality and human rights is core to the work of public servants. We all have an obligation to contribute to implementing the Public Sector Duty.

How is it structured?

There are three units in the eLearning module:

  • Unit 1: Equality in the Public Service – This unit will introduce you to equality and the equality obligations of public bodies as well as supporting your exploration of equality issues facing staff and service users.
  • Unit 2: Human Rights in the Public Service – This unit will introduce you to human rights concepts and human rights obligations of public bodies and support your exploration of issues facing staff and service users.
  • Unit 3: The Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty –  This unit will introduce you to the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty and the steps involved in its implementation.

Each unit contains information to build the capacity within staff of public bodies to better understand equality and human rights concepts and principles, international and national legislation and approaches to implementing the Public Sector Duty.

Features

  • Free for all public service staff
  • Provides an interactive blend of information, videos and scenarios to support understanding of equality and human rights
  • Fully accessible and available on a range of devices
  • Regular Knowledge checks, Assessments and Reflective Worksheets to check your understanding and to reflect on how your organisation is meeting its Public Sector Duty
  • Personal Action Plan, which you can complete throughout the module to support you in identifying what you can do to promote and protect equality and human rights in your daily work
  • Extend my Learning section, signposting further learning and development
  • Self-paced, so learners can complete it in their own time
  • Personalised certificate of completion once you complete all units and assessments

How long will it take to complete?

It will take approximately three hours to complete all units.

The module is self-paced, so you do not have to do it in one sitting. You can complete it in your own time.

Each unit has to be completed before you can move to the next one. There is an assessment at the end of each unit, which you must pass to proceed.

What will I learn?

At the end of Unit 1: Equality in the Public Service you will be able to:

  • Recognise the key concepts of equality and the legislative framework for equality in Ireland;
  • Describe your organisation’s duties and responsibilities regarding the promotion of equality of opportunity and the elimination of discrimination, and your rights within it; and
  • Analyse examples of issues arising in service provision and the workplace that relate to equality.

At the end of Unit 2: Human Rights in the Public Service you will be able to:

  • Identify what human rights are and where they come from;
  • Describe your human rights, your human rights responsibilities and the principles and concepts that underpin them; and
  • Analyse examples of issues in service provision and the workplace that relate to human rights.

At the end of Unit 3: The Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty you will be able to:

  • Describe your Public Sector Duty entitlements and obligations;
  • Describe the steps involved in implementing this statutory Duty; and
  • Explore practical ways you can advance implementation of this Duty.

How do I access the eLearning module?

Access the Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service eLearning module

You need to register your name and public sector organisation to be granted access

If you have any questions, email: support@ihrec.ie