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Protected characteristics

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Protected characteristics: definitions

The Equality Act 2010 came into force from 1st October 2010. The act covers nine protected characteristics on the grounds upon which discrimination is unlawful. This page gives you more information on each of the nine protected characteristics.

The following characteristics have been listed as protected characteristics in the Equality Act of 2010:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Each of these protected characteristics is defined in the Equality Act of 2010 as below:

Age
i. In relation to the protected characteristic of age:
   a. a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a   

       reference to a person of a particular age group.
   b. a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference  

      to persons of the same age group.

ii. A reference to an age group is a reference to a group of persons defined by

     reference to age, whether by reference to a particular age or to a range of

     ages.

Disability
i. A person has a disability if:
   a. The person has a physical or mental impairment, and
   b. the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the

       person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
ii. A reference to a disabled person is a reference to a person who has a

   disability.
iii. In relation to the protected characteristic of disability.
   a. a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a

       reference to a person who has a particular disability
   b. a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference

       to persons who have the same disability.

iv. This Act (except Part 12 and section 190) applies in relation to a person who

     has had a disability as it applies in relation to a person who has the disability;

     accordingly (except in that Part and that section) .
  a. a reference (however expressed) to a person who has a disability includes a

      reference to a person who has had the disability, and
  b. a reference (however expressed) to a person who does not have a disability

      includes a reference to a person who has not had the disability.
v. A Minister of the Crown may issue guidance about matters to be taken into

    account in deciding any question for the purposes of subsection (1) .
vi. Schedule 1 (disability: supplementary provision) has effect.

Gender reassignment
i. A person has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment if the person

  is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process (or part of a

  process) for the purpose of reassigning the person's sex by changing

  physiological or other attributes of sex.
ii. A reference to a transsexual person is a reference to a person who has the

   protected characteristic of gender reassignment.
iii. In relation to the protected characteristic of gender reassignment:
   a. a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a

       reference to a transsexual person;
   b. a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference

      to transsexual persons.

Marriage and civil partnership
i. A person has the protected characteristic of marriage and civil partnership if the

  person is married or is a civil partner.
ii. In relation to the protected characteristic of marriage and civil partnership:
    a. a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a

        reference to a person who is married or is a civil partner;
    b. a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference

        to persons who are married or are civil partners.

Pregnancy and maternity
i. Pregnancy and maternity is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a

   baby.
ii. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in

   the employment context.
iii. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26

    weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably

    because she is breastfeeding.

Race
i. Race includes:
   a. colour
   b. nationality
   c. ethnic or national origins
ii. In relation to the protected characteristic of race:
   a. a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a

       reference to a person of a particular racial group;
   b. a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference

      to persons of the same racial group.
iii. A racial group is a group of persons defined by reference to race; and a

    reference to a person's racial group is a reference to a racial group into which 

    the person falls.
iv. The fact that a racial group comprises two or more distinct racial groups does not prevent it from constituting a particular racial group.
v. A Minister of the Crown may by order:
    a. amend this section so as to provide for caste to be an aspect of race
    b. amend this Act so as to provide for an exception to a provision of this Act

       to apply, or not to apply, to caste or to apply, or not to apply, to caste in  

       specified circumstances
vi. The power under section 207(4)(b), in its application to subsection (5), includes power to amend this Act

Religion or belief
i. Religion means any religion and a reference to religion includes a reference to a

   lack of religion.
ii. Belief means any religious or philosophical belief and a reference to belief

   includes a reference to a lack of belief.
iii. In relation to the protected characteristic of religion or belief:
    a. a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a

        reference to a person of a particular religion or belief;
    b. a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference

       to persons who are of the same religion or belief

Sex
i. a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a reference to a man or to a woman
ii. a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference to persons of the same sex

Sexual orientation
i. Sexual orientation means a person's sexual orientation towards:
   a. persons of the same sex
   b. persons of the opposite sex, or
   c. persons of either sex
ii. In relation to the protected characteristic of sexual orientation:
   a. a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a   

       reference to a person who is of a particular sexual orientation
   b. a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference

      to persons who are of the same sexual orientation

 

If you would like to discuss any issues relating to protected characteristics please contact us.

 

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Page last updated on 16 January 2012. Click on the links to read our disclaimer and privacy policy. Click here to view sitemap