Why should I take the Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service eLearning course?
This aim of this Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service eLearning course is to enable public servants to explore the meaning and value of equality, human rights and the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty in their daily work.
Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty
The Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty places a statutory obligation on public bodies to have regard to human rights and equality considerations in the performance of their functions.
We have legal powers to monitor and provide information, guidance and education to public bodies to understand and meet their statutory obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014.
What is the purpose of this course?
The purpose of this course is to enable staff working within public bodies to understand and meet their obligations under the Duty.
By taking this course, you will:
- Build understanding of equality and human rights concepts and principles and legislation and the statutory obligation Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty
- Support a shared understanding of equality and human rights in the public service, supporting better quality of services and better work environment
- Encourage public bodies to incorporate the eLearning module into their annual training calendars as part of public service essential training.
How is the course structured?
There are three units:
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.
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.
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.
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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.