Discrimination

Discrimination is when someone is treated unfairly at work because of who they are. 

The law protects people from discrimination based on certain characteristics. 

These are called protected characteristics: 

• age 
• disability 
• gender reassignment 
• marriage or civil partnership 
• pregnancy and maternity 
• race 
• religion or belief 
• sex 
• sexual orientation 

There are four main types. 

Direct discrimination

Someone treats you worse because of a protected characteristic. 

Example:
A manager refuses to promote a woman because she might have children. 

Indirect discrimination

A workplace rule disadvantages certain people. 

Example:
A workplace requires everyone to travel at short notice, which may disadvantage workers with caring responsibilities. 

Harassment

Unwanted behaviour related to a protected characteristic that makes you feel uncomfortable, offended or intimidated. 

Example:
Colleagues making sexist jokes. 

Victimisation

Being treated badly because you complained about discrimination. 

Discrimination isn’t always obvious. 

It might look like: 

• being excluded from career opportunities 
• being paid less than others doing the same job 
• offensive jokes or comments from colleagues or customers 
• rules that affect you more than others 
• being punished for mistakes others aren’t punished for 

Example situations

A manager criticises a young Black woman’s natural hair but not other employees’ appearance. 

Women are paid less than men doing the same job. 

A manager refuses to promote someone because she might start a family. 

The Equality Act 2010 protects: 

• employees 
• workers 
• contractors 
• job applicants 
• former employees (for example references) 

Employers must: 

• prevent discrimination at work 
• protect staff from harassment 
• treat employees fairly 

Upcoming changes (October 2026)

Employers will: 

• be responsible for harassment from customers or clients unless they take reasonable steps to prevent it 
• have stronger duties to prevent sexual harassment 
• face changes to rules around non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) 

If discrimination happens, it’s normal to feel upset, angry or confused. It is not your fault. 

You have several options. 

Step 1 — Raise the issue informally

You may feel comfortable talking to your manager or HR. 

Step 2 — Make a formal complaint

You can use your workplace grievance process. 

Step 3 — Get advice

You can contact: 

• Citizens Advice 
• ACAS helpline: 0300 123 1100 
• a trade union representative 

Step 4 — Consider a tribunal claim

An employment tribunal can decide legal disputes about employment rights. 

Important:
You normally have 3 months minus 1 day from the discrimination to make a claim. 

From October 2026, this will increase to 6 months. 

You don’t have to deal with this alone. 

You can: 

• contact the ACAS helpline 
• get advice from Citizens Advice 
• speak to a trade union 
• talk to one of our coaches 

Get coaching support