The Equality Act (2010) legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. The Act applies to any individual with a protected characteristic which includes age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.
There are four types of discrimination listed under the Act:
When someone is treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic.
When a rule, practice or policy disadvantages a person with a protected characteristic.
Persistent unwanted conduct, unsolicited behaviour or attention of a sexual nature, or less favourable treatment which violates a person’s dignity or creates a hostile, uncomfortable environment. It is important to remember that it is a victim’s perception of behaviour which defines harassment, not the perpetrator’s intentions.
When an individual is treated less favourably than others because they made, tried to make or supported a complaint of discrimination.