Who is protected under the Equality Act 2010?
Ava Arnold
Updated on February 17, 2026
Find out more about the characteristics that the Equality Act protects. These are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Who does the Equality Act 2010 apply to?
The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation.Which groups are protected by the Equality Act 2010?
The characteristics that are protected by the Equality Act 2010 are:
- age.
- disability.
- gender reassignment.
- marriage or civil partnership (in employment only)
- pregnancy and maternity.
- race.
- religion or belief.
- sex.
Who has to abide by the Equality Act?
The Equality Act 2010 says public authorities must comply with the public sector equality duty. This is in addition to their duty not to discriminate against you. Private organisations and individuals don't have to comply with the duty.What are the 9 protected characteristics under the Equality Act?
Protected characteristics
- age.
- disability.
- gender reassignment.
- marriage and civil partnership.
- pregnancy and maternity.
- race.
- religion or belief.
- sex.
An introduction to the Equality Act 2010
Does everyone have a protected characteristic?
Protected characteristics are aspects of a person's identity that makes them who they are. Everyone has at least of few of the nine protected characteristics, so as an employer, it's important you make sure an employee isn't treated less favourably because of theirs.What characteristics are not protected under the Equality Act?
It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of:
- age.
- gender reassignment.
- being married or in a civil partnership.
- being pregnant or on maternity leave.
- disability.
- race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin.
- religion or belief.
- sex.
How does Equality Act protect individuals?
The Equality Act is a law which protects you from discrimination. It means that discrimination or unfair treatment on the basis of certain personal characteristics, such as age, is now against the law in almost all cases.Is everyone treated equally under the law?
Thus, everyone must be treated equally under the law regardless of race, gender, color, ethnicity, religion, disability, or other characteristics, without privilege, discrimination or bias.How does the Equality Act 2010 protect older people?
The Equality Act allows for age discrimination when it can be 'objectively justified'. That means the employer or service provider must show that they have a good reason for discriminating on the basis of age.How many characteristics are protected by the Equality Act?
What Are The 9 Protected Characteristics Under The Equality Act?Who does the public sector equality duty apply to?
The public sector equality duty covers those with 'relevant protected characteristics': age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.What are the 4 types of discrimination?
The 4 types of Discrimination
- Direct discrimination.
- Indirect discrimination.
- Harassment.
- Victimisation.