Protected Characteristics

Abstract

This chapter discusses the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. One of the objectives of the Equality Act 2010 is to bring together in one place all of those characteristics on which it is unlawful to discriminate and to establish a single approach to discrimination, with some exceptions. These ‘protected characteristics’ are set out in Part 2, Chapter 1 of the Act. The protected characteristics covered by the Act are: age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation; and pregnancy and maternity. The chapter looks at the provisions for each of these protected characteristics in turn.