EQUALITY AT WORK ACT 2010
Protected
CHARACTERISTICS
Protected characteristics
• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
The Equality Act 2010 replaced previous antidiscrimination laws with a single Act . It made the law easier to understand and strengthened protection in some areas . The Act protects people in employment and the users of private and public services , based on nine protected characteristics . The characteristics are protected in law , meaning it is unlawful to discriminate against someone in relation to the characteristics .
The responsibility for removing discriminatory attitudes and practices in the workplace lies , ultimately , with the directors of a company . They can fulfil their responsibility through training , awareness , policies , good practice , monitoring and dealing with any issues .
In this article , we explain some of the key terms relating to the Equality Act , and provide examples of how the Act relates to a few of the protected characteristics . For further information or to discuss any of the protected characteristics in greater depth , please get in touch with BMAS using the contact details at the end of the article .
Volume 38 ( 1 ) • February 2023
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