Home / Resources / What are the 9 Protected Characteristics?

What are the 9 Protected Characteristics?


"If people are informed they will do the right thing.

It's when they are not informed that they become hostages to prejudice."

Charlayne Hunter-Gault

 

Employee tribunal claims can be costly and detrimental to an organisation's reputation. The maximum award in the financial year 2014/15 was for a sex discrimination case, with £557,039 awarded to the claimant. Cases such as this illustrate not only the personal trauma discrimination causes but also the financial implications which may result. The importance placed on all employees, particularly those with team leader and management responsibilities, having an awareness of equality and diversity matters cannot be stressed highly enough.

 

Equality and Diversity – What does it mean?

Equality is treating people fairly and providing equal access to jobs, opportunities, benefits and services.

 

Diversity is about differences and the wide range of differences which exist between us. It's about understanding that each individual is unique and the need to recognise, respect, embrace and value those individual differences.

 

What considerations are required in the workplace?

In 2010, the Equality Act was introduced, which all employers have to be aware of and comply with. However, managers and employees also need to understand their role in ensuring equality and dignity inside and outside the workplace, as a lesser-known fact is that they can be held personally liable for their discriminatory acts. Their role in ensuring equality and dignity at work is therefore paramount. Training in equality and diversity is necessary to ensure that everyone in the workplace knows that their language and behaviour should be based on dignity and respect for every individual and that they are not demeaning on any grounds, including the nine protected characteristics.

 

What are the 9 Protected Characteristics?

The nine protected characteristics are defined in the Equality Act 2010, which states that individuals and groups should not be discriminated against based on these characteristics. The Equality Act protects everyone from discrimination, as we all have some of these characteristics.

They are:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage or Civil Partnership
  • Pregnancy and Maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or Belief (including lack of Belief)
  • Sex
  • Sexual Orientation
It is also possible for cases to arise because of discrimination by association or perception. This means that an individual doesn't have to have a protected characteristic to be protected, but they are treated less favourably because of their close connection or strong association with someone who has a protected characteristic (e.g., a family member) or because someone thinks they have a protected characteristic, but they don't.

 

How can In Equilibrium help?

In Equilibrium's course "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training" is suitable for both managers and employees. It helps to increase understanding, raise awareness and build confidence about diversity issues in the workplace; as two recent participants' comments illustrate:

"It was a very eye-opening course and made me realise how many things go on
that I haven't noticed before."
"Nervousness transformed into confidence"

Recent articles on our blog....

For Autumn 2024 – 6 new training courses to aid workplace wellbeing

September 11, 2024

We introduce six new training courses which are now available for in-house delivery. All are delivered by experienced trainers who are experts in their field. The courses encompass emotional intelligence, growth leadership, interviewing skills and techniques, managing a hybrid workforce effectively, proactive stress management, and designing and implementing inclusive recruitment selection processes.

Read More →
A montage of lots of sets of eyes looking towards the reader

Tips to help individuals and managers reduce productivity anxiety

September 11, 2024

It can be easy to feel worried or stressed that we aren’t getting through our workload as effectively as we think we should. In this post, we look at some practical actions both individuals and managers can take to help reduce feelings of anxiety relating to our productivity.

Read More →
Black and white photo of a tiny human figure standing between the pages of a paperback book

Wellbeing at work – recent helpful resources

September 11, 2024

Our latest selection of 5 external resources regarding wellbeing at work touch on a range of topics including – interpersonal conflict and difficult conversations at work, inclusive recruitment and selection, suicide awareness for all, the cost to employers of poor mental health, and the relationship between line manager training in mental health and organisational outcomes.

Read More →

Testimonials

ineq-about-us-150x150

Our purpose is to provide training and consultancy services to enhance resilience, health and wellbeing in the workplace.

ineq-ethos-values-150x150

Differentiation is one of the most strategic and tactical activities in which companies most constantly engage

ineq-faqs-150x150

It's natural to have questions about training and how it fits with your organisation. Our FAQs can help you find out more.

ineq-case-studies-150x150

View case studies for some of the in-house training courses we have delivered to different types of organisations across the UK.