Protected characteristics

There are 9 characteristics protected by law (Equality Act 2010). They are:

An employer must not discriminate against a worker because of a protected characteristic.

What age discrimination is and how employers and workers can deal with it.

What disability discrimination is and how employers and workers can deal with it.

What gender reassignment discrimination is and how employers and workers can deal with it.

What marriage and civil partnership discrimination is and how employers and workers can deal with it.

What pregnancy and maternity discrimination is and how employers and workers can deal with it.

What race discrimination is and how employers and workers can deal with it.

What religion or belief discrimination is and how employers and workers can deal with it.

What sex discrimination is and how employers and workers can deal with it.

What sexual orientation discrimination is and how employers and workers can deal with it.

More advice

What sexual harassment is and what to do if you're affected. Specialist helplines and support.

When employers might base work decisions on protected characteristics.

How pregnant workers or those taking maternity, adoption, shared parental or neonatal care leave are protected.