1. The Equality Act 2010
Introduction
The EA 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person because of some personal characteristic recognised by the legislation.
Thinking point
The act makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their: -

2. - -
The Protected Characteristics
Age (s.5)
Belonging to a particular group, e.g. over 50’s or people 21 years of age
Disability (s.6)
A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, e.g. asthma

3. - Gender reassignment (s.7)
A person who has proposed, started or completed a process to change their sex, e.g. a man who decides to live the rest of his life as a woman with or without medical intervention
Marriage and Civil Partnership (s.8)
A person who is married or in a civil partnership
Thinking point: Does it cover those cohabiting?
Pregnancy and Maternity
Covers the period from conception to birth and maternity leave, see the case of CD v ST

4. What do you think of the decision in CD v ST?
Race (s.9)
Includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins, e.g. Romany gypsies
Religion and belief (s.10)
Any religion and any religious or philosophical belief. It includes lack of religion and belief, e.g. humanism and atheism
See Grainger v Nicholson

5. - Sex (s. 11)
Being a man or a woman, e.g. women have a dress code and men do not
See Schmidt v Austicks Bookshop
Sexual Orientation (s.12)
Covers orientation towards persons of the same sex, the opposite sex or either sex, e.g. heterosexual, gay, lesbian and bisexual
4. The types of discrimination

6. The Act refers to “prohibited conduct” and makes unlawful the following types of discrimination: - Direct (s.13)
Indirect (s.19)
Harassment (s. 26)
Victimisation