Discrimination is defined under the Equality Act 2010
Discrimination arises in the provision of services and employment. Everyone is protected from discrimination by organisations who provide services and employers. All employers and service providers are under an obligation to ensure equal treatment. Failure to do so is unlawful behaviour which may mean a claim for compensation.
There are strict time limits to bring claims it is therefore important to act quickly.
Personal Protected Characteristics applied by the Equality Act 2010 are:-
- race
- ethnicity
- gender
- religion
- country of origin
- sexual preference
- a physical/mental disability
- disease
- age or
- due to family responsibilities
Discrimination can arise in one of the following forms:
- Direct Discrimination – less favourable treatment because of a protected characteristic
- Indirect Discrimination – putting rules or arrangements in place that apply to everyone, but that put someone with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage
- Discrimination by association or perception – being less favourably treated because either a friend, spouse or partner has a protected characteristic or the individual who is receiving less favourable treatment is thought to have a protected characteristic and they don’t
- Harassment – unwanted behaviour linked to a protected characteristic that violates someone’s dignity or creates an offensive environment for them
- Victimisation – treating someone unfairly because they’ve complained about discrimination or harassment
Contact us if you are currently experiencing discrimination- we will be happy to speak to you applying utmost sensitivity in what can be a very difficult situation.
