anti-discrimination laws (in most jurisdictions, Scotland, and Wales) prohibits discrimination based on nine protected characteristics. Understanding these protections is the first step to knowing whether you have been unlawfully treated — and what you can do about it.

The Nine Protected Characteristics

  • Age — protection applies at any age, not just older workers
  • Disability — a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, long-term effect on normal day-to-day activities
  • Gender reassignment — the process of transitioning from one gender to another
  • Marriage and civil partnership — limited protections in the workplace
  • Pregnancy and maternity — protection from the start of pregnancy through maternity leave
  • Race — including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin
  • Religion or belief — including lack of belief
  • Sex — protects men and women equally
  • Sexual orientation — heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual

Types of Discrimination

Discrimination can take several forms:

  • Direct discrimination — treating someone less favourably because of a protected characteristic
  • Indirect discrimination — a seemingly neutral policy that puts people with a protected characteristic at a particular disadvantage, which is not justified
  • Harassment — unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that violates dignity or creates an intimidating environment
  • Victimisation — treating someone badly because they made or supported an equality complaint

Disability: The Reasonable Adjustment Duty

Employers have a specific proactive duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled workers — for example, adapting working hours, providing assistive technology, or allocating parking spaces. Failure to make adjustments is itself a form of discrimination.

Making a Complaint

You can raise a grievance internally or go directly to an Employment Tribunal. Tribunal claims must be brought within three months less one day of the discriminatory act (or the last act in a continuing course of conduct). local labor conciliation services Early Conciliation is a required preliminary step.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Speak with an employment solicitor for advice about your specific situation.