Workplace discrimination can take may forms. We take a look at the list of protected characteristics, which break down the traits that cannot be legally discriminated against.
Protected characteristics cover the aspects of a person that either cannot be changed, or are an integral part of who they are. Thanks to the Equality Act 2010, employers are not legally allowed to discriminate against them.
Here is the full list of protected characteristics:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnerships
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
Examples of discrimination
- Direct Discrimination – When a protected characteristic is the reason that an employee is being treated less favourably than a colleague.
- Indirect Discrimination – Where some task is supposedly achievable by all, but unintentionally discriminates due to a clash with a protected characteristic, such as a physical disability.
- Harassment – When a specific person is negatively targeted in a hostile, offensive or humiliating way because of a protected characteristic.
- Victimisation – When an employee is punished in some way for reporting some kind of injustice, discrimination or unfair practice.
When might legal action be possible?
If a grievance has been raised with your employer and nothing was done to resolve the situation, things have become worse, or the action taken was unsatisfactory, this may warrant grounds to seek legal assistance from a solicitor.
Further reading
For some further information about workplace discrimination, check out this article. For details about stress at work legal claims, see this resource.
If you believe after reading the above that you have been discriminated against in the workplace, get in touch with a member of our team of qualified legal experts.
How do I get in touch?
Contact our team today on 0113 306 9039, and we will advise you on whether or not your case is likely to succeed.
