The Equality Act 2010 is concerned with 7 different types of discrimination.
These are:
Direct discrimination – where someone is treated less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic.
Associative discrimination – this is direct discrimination against someone because they are associated with another person who possesses a protected characteristic.
Discrimination by perception – this is direct discrimination against someone because others think that they possess a particular protected characteristic. They do not necessarily have to possess the characteristic, just be perceived to.
Indirect discrimination – this can occur when you have a rule or policy that applies to everyone but disadvantages a person with a particular protected characteristic.
Harassment – this is behaviour that is deemed offensive by the recipient. Employees can now complain of the behaviour they find offensive even if it is not directed at them.
Harassment by a third party – employers are potentially liable for the harassment of their staff or customers by people they don’t themselves employ, i.e. a contractor.
Victimisation – this occurs when someone is treated badly because they have made or supported a complaint or grievance under this legislation.
Find out more about the equality act.