What is discrimination at work?
The Equality Act 2010 protects you from discrimination based on nine protected characteristics. Your employer cannot treat you worse because of any of them—in recruitment, during employment, or dismissal.
Discrimination can be obvious (directly saying "we won't hire women") or subtle (applying rules that sound neutral but actually disadvantage certain groups). Both are illegal.
The nine protected characteristics
- Age: You're protected at any age, whether young or old
- Disability: Physical or mental conditions with substantial long-term effects
- Gender reassignment: Transitioning or having transitioned
- Marriage or civil partnership: Being married, unmarried, or in a civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity: Being pregnant or on maternity leave
- Race: Colour, nationality, ethnic origin, or national origin
- Religion or belief: Any religion, or lack of religion
- Sex: Being male or female
- Sexual orientation: Being straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual
Types of discrimination
- Direct: Treating you worse because of a protected characteristic. E.g. "we won't hire women" or "you're too old".
- Indirect: Applying a rule that sounds neutral but actually disadvantages people with a certain characteristic. E.g. requiring all staff to work weekends (disadvantages those with religious beliefs).
- Harassment: Unwanted behaviour based on a protected characteristic that creates a hostile or offensive environment. E.g. racial insults, sexual advances, mocking someone's disability.
- Victimisation: Treating you badly because you've complained about discrimination or supported someone else's complaint.
- Failure to make reasonable adjustments: For disability, your employer must make changes to help you—refusing to do so is discrimination.
What to do if you've been discriminated against
Document everything. Write down what happened, when, who was involved, and what was said. Keep emails, messages, and any evidence.
Report it. Tell your manager or HR in writing what happened and why you believe it's discrimination.
Contact ACAS. Call 0300 123 1100 for free, confidential advice. They can help you understand your rights and options.
Act quickly. You have 3 months minus 1 day from when the discrimination happened to start ACAS conciliation.