1983 Commission of the European Communities v United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
In a European Court judgment of 8 November 1983 (case 165/82), the UK was found to have failed to fulfil its obligations (as a member state) under the Equal Treatment Directive for men and women.
The 1976 ‘Equal Treatment Directive’ (76/207/EEC) established the principle that men and women should be treated equally ‘in regards to access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions’. Member states were given a prescribed period in which to ensure it was implemented.
In June 1982 the European Commission brought an action against the UK on the grounds that it had only partially implemented the Directive in failing to amend or supplement the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act.
The judgement found that the UK was in breach of the Directive by exempting households and small employers (of five or less employees); and by not requiring existing collective agreements, or the regulations of professional and occupational governing bodies, to be amended.
The ruling led to the introduction of the Sex Discrimination Bill 1986.