Equality and the Law
What do you need to know about UK law?
The Equality Act 2010
In 2010, the Equality Act was made UK law.
Everyone in Britain is covered by this Act. It is designed to protect people from discrimination, harrassment and victimisation.
There are nine protected characteristics that the Equality Act 2010 looks at in particular. These are:
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage or civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion
Sex
Sexual orientation
Examples of when you would be protected from discrimination
Under the Equality Act 2010, you are protected from discrimination:
When you are in the workplace
When you use public services like healthcare (for example, going to the doctor or local hospital) or education (for example, at college)
When you use businesses or other organisations that provide services and goods (like shops, restaurants and cinemas)
When you use public transport (like the bus or the train)
When you join a club or association (for example, your local tennis club)
When you have contact with public bodies (like your local council or government departments)
How can you be discriminated against?
There are four main types of discrimination.
See below for descriptions of each. There are also videos that explore the four types of discrimination underneath.
Direct Discrimination
This is when one person is treated worse than another person because of a protected characteristic.
Example: A promotion comes up at work. The boss believes that people's memories get worse as they get older so doesn't tell one of their older employees about it, because they think that the employee wouldn't be able to do the job.
Example: A promotion comes up at work. The boss believes that people's memories get worse as they get older so doesn't tell one of their older employees about it, because they think that the employee wouldn't be able to do the job.
Indirect Discrimination
This can happen when an organisation puts a rule, policy or a way of doing things in place which is worse for someone with a protected characteristic than someone without one.
Example: A local authority is planning to redevelop some of its housing. It decides to hold consultation events in the evening. Many of the female residents complain that they cannot attend these meetings because of childcare responsibilities.
Example: A local authority is planning to redevelop some of its housing. It decides to hold consultation events in the evening. Many of the female residents complain that they cannot attend these meetings because of childcare responsibilities.
Victimisation
This is when people treat you unfairly when you are taking action under the Equality Act (like making a complaint of discrimination), or if you are supporting someone else who is doing so.
Example: An employee makes a complaint of sexual harrassment at work and is sacked as a consequence.
Example: An employee makes a complaint of sexual harrassment at work and is sacked as a consequence.
Harrassment
This is when people treat someone in a way that violates their dignity, or creates a hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
Example: A man with Down Syndrome is visiting a pub with friends. The bar staff make derogatory and offensive comments about him, which upset and offend him. He doesn't feel happy or safe at the pub.
Example: A man with Down Syndrome is visiting a pub with friends. The bar staff make derogatory and offensive comments about him, which upset and offend him. He doesn't feel happy or safe at the pub.
Further Information and support
If you think you might have been treated unfairly and want further advice, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Phone: 0808 800 0082
Textphone: 0800 800 0084
You can email using the contact form on the EASS website. Also available through the website are BSL interpretation, web chat services and a 'contact us' form.
Opening hours:
9am to 7pm Monday to Friday
10am to 2pm Saturday
Closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays