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Protected characteristics
The Equality Act 2010 came into force from 1st October 2010.
The Act covers nine protected characteristics on the grounds upon which discrimination is unlawful.
- Age - refering to a person belonging to a particular age (e.g. 32 year olds) or range of ages (e.g. 18 - 30 year olds).
- Disability - a person has a disability if s/he has 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.
- Gender reassignment - the process of transitioning from one gender to another.
- Marriage and civil partnership - marriage is defined as a 'union between a man and a woman'. Same-sex couples can have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'. Civil partners must be treated the same as married couples on a wide range of legal matters.
- Pregnancy and maternity - pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding.
- Race - refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, and nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins.
- Religion or belief - Religion has the meaning usually given to it but belief includes religious and philosophical beliefs including lack of belief (e.g. Atheism). Generally, a belief should affect your life choices or the way you live for it to be included in the definition.
- Sex - a reference to a man or to a woman
- Sexual orientation - Whether a person's sexual attraction is towards their own sex, the opposite sex or to both sexes
A more in-depth definition of these protective characteristics can be viewed on the Office of Public Sector Information website.
This article was published on May 2, 2013