Direct discrimination
Plain-English definitions for England and Wales. General information, not legal advice. Laws and figures change - always check the current position on GOV.UK.
Direct discrimination Treating someone less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic - such as age, disability, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation - under the Equality Act 2010.
Related terms
- Indirect discrimination
- Where a provision, criterion or practice that applies to everyone puts people who share a protected characteristic at a particular disadvantage, and the employer cannot objectively justify it as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.
- Harassment
- Under the Equality Act 2010, unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that has the purpose or effect of violating someone's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. General workplace bullying is not itself a standalone tribunal claim unless it is linked to a protected characteristic or another legal right.
- Victimisation
- Being subjected to a detriment because you have done a 'protected act' - such as making or supporting a discrimination complaint, or alleging a breach of the Equality Act 2010.
- Protected characteristic
- One of the nine characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Treating someone unfavourably because of one of these can be unlawful.
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