Discrimination

Overview

Discrimination is associated with protected characteristics such as:

  • age
  • disability
  • race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
  • religion or belief
  • being married or in a civil partnershup
  • being pregnant or on maternity leave
  • gender reassignment
  • sex
  • sexual orientation

Discrimination can come in different forms:

  • Direct discrimination – treating someone less favourably due to them having a protected characteristic
  • Indirect discrimination – treating people equally, in a way which unfairly disadvantages someone with a protected characteristic
  • Harassment– Unwanted behaviour connected to a protected characteristic which violates someone’s dignity or creates an offensive environment for them
  • Victimisation – Treating someone unfairly because they’ve complained about discrimination or harrassment

References and Further Reading