What the law says
Under the law (Equality Act 2010), in certain circumstances employers can:
- take action based on a particular protected characteristic
- justify a business decision that affects people with a particular protected characteristic
This can help:
- someone or a group of people who are disadvantaged or underrepresented in the organisation
- the organisation's diversity and inclusion
- to fulfil a specific need for the employer
Employers can do this through either:
The protected characteristics under the law are:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
Contact the Acas helpline
If you have any questions about using protected characteristics to make a decision at work, contact the Acas helpline.