The law does not allow an employer (or their staff) to treat someone less favourably because of a ‘protected characteristic‘.
There are 9 protected characteristics. These are set out in the Equality Act 2010.
1. Age
This refers to a person belonging to a particular age (e.g. 32-year-olds) or range of ages (e.g. 18 – 30-year-olds, over 65, etc).
2. Disability
A person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
3. Gender reassignment
The process of transitioning from one gender to another.
4. Marriage and civil partnership
An employer should not treat people less favourably based on their marital status or whether they’re in a civil partnership.
5. Pregnancy and maternity
This covers the full term of pregnancy and the period after the birth.
6. Race
This means a group of people defined by their race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origins.
7. Religion and belief
Religion has the meaning usually given to it. Belief includes religious and philosophical beliefs, including lack of belief (e.g. atheism)
8. Sex
Whether an employee is a man or a woman.
9. Sexual orientation
Whether a person’s sexual attraction is towards their own sex, the opposite sex or to both sexes.
