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Discrimination

Find out more about the law on discrimination with our selection of articles, links and guides to best practice and regulation.

Protected characteristics

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Age

Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated on the basis of their age. On this page you can find articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance.

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Being married or in a civil partnership

Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated on the basis of whether they are married or in a civil partnership or not. Browse our articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance.

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Being pregnant or on maternity leave

Find legislation and guidance on employee's rights and employer's responsibilities relating to maternity, paternity and adoption, including discrimination against those being pregnant or on maternity leave.

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Disability

Discrimination legislation protects the rights of disabled people in employment, education, and access to goods and services. Browse articles, books and online resources offering guidance in this area of law.

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Gender reassignment

Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated on the basis of gender reassignment. On this page you can find articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance.

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Race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin

Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of their race. Browse articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance.

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Religion or belief

Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated on the basis of their religion of beliefs. Browse articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance.

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Sex

Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of their sex or gender. Browse articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance.

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Sexual orientation

Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. Browse articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance.

External resources

Discrimination and the Equality Act 2010
  • Acas
Overview of the law regarding discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 and the nine protected characteristics.
Discrimination, bullying and harassment
  • Acas
Guidance on discrimination, bullying and harassment for both employers and employees. Topics covered include what to do if you're treated unfairly at work. how employers should handle a complaint, equal pay and the different types of discrimination covered by the protected characteristics.
Equality Act 2010
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission
Guidance on the Equality Act 2010 from the EHRC. Covers the purpose of the Equality Act and who it protects. EHRC Codes of Practice covering the Equality Act 2020 are also available; these provide detailed explanations of the provisions in the Act and apply the legal concepts to everyday situations.
Equality Act 2010: guidance
  • Government Equalities Office, Equality and Human Rights Commission
Government Information and guidance on the Equality Act 2010, including age discrimination and public sector Equality Duty.
Handling a bullying, harassment or discrimination complaint at work
  • Acas
Advice for employers on handling a bullying, harassment or discrimination complaint, including: how to approach a complaint, dealing with a complaint informally or formally, when harassment at work could be a crime, or after you've dealt with a bullying, harassment or discrimination complaint.
When an employer may make a decision based on age, race or another protected characteristic
  • Acas
Acas guidance on circumstances when an employer may legally made a decision based on a 'protected characteristic.'

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