Equality Act 2010: Primary legislation ensuring equal opportunities in job applications and protecting against discrimination based on protected characteristics such as age, gender, race, disability, etc. Must be considered when discussing personal characteristics in the cover letter.
Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR: Legislation governing how personal information is handled, stored, and processed. Relevant when including personal details in the cover letter and how this information will be used by potential employers.
Misrepresentation Act 1967: Law ensuring truthfulness in statements made during application process. Prevents fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation of qualifications and experience in the cover letter.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974: Legislation governing the disclosure of past convictions. Determines what information about past convictions needs to be disclosed in job applications.
Professional Standards: Non-legislative best practices and ethical considerations for professional communication in job applications, including industry-specific requirements and company-specific standards.
Graduate Recruitment Standards: Specific considerations and best practices for graduate-level job applications, including appropriate formatting, content, and presentation standards for entry-level positions.
