The Equality Act 2010 combines a whopping 116 separate pieces of legislation into one single Act that is more accessible and easier to understand. This Act protects the rights of individuals and ensures equality of opportunities whilst preventing discrimination and unfair treatment.
There are nine protected characteristics in the Equality Act. Discrimination which happens because of one or more of these characteristics is unlawful under the Act. We all have some of these characteristics – for example, sex or age – so the Act protects everyone from discrimination.
If you’re treated unfairly because someone thinks you belong to a group of people with protected characteristics, this is also unlawful discrimination.
What are the protected characteristics?
The characteristics that are protected by the Equality Act 2010 are:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage or civil partnership (in employment only)
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation.
Further information
View the full Equality Act 2010 on the Office of Public Sector Information website.
Guidance for employers about their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. This guidance has been written by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to explain your responsibilities under equality law.
Key areas of guidance for employers
- What equality law means for you as an employer: when you recruit someone to work for you
- What equality law means for you as an employer: A good practice checklist for advertisers and publishers
- What equality law means for you as an employer: Advertisers and publishers
- What equality law means for you as an employer: Advertising frequently asked questions
- What equality law means for you as an employer: Advertising Making Inquiries
- What equality law means for you as an employer: working hours, flexible working and time off
- What equality law means for you as an employer: pay and benefits
- What equality law means for you as an employer: training, development, promotion and transfer
- What equality law means for you as an employer: managing workers
- What equality law means for you as an employer: dismissal, redundancy, retirement and after a worker has left
- Good equality practice for employers: equality policies, equality training and monitoring
- Religion or belief in the workplace: A guide for employers following recent European Court of Human Rights judgments
- Religion or belief in the workplace: An explanation of recent European Court of Human Rights judgments
- Equality Act guidance for small businesses
- The duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people
- What to do if someone says they’ve been discriminated against
- Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice on employment
- Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice on equal pay
Citizens Advice and the Government Equalities Office have produced a guide to some of your rights under the Equality Act. To download an online copy of the Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? A summary guide to your rights, click on Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know [ 210 kb].
This information has been sourced via The Equality and Human Rights Commission, ACAS and GOV.UK.
