Discrimination towards minority groups has existed in society for many years. While overall it appears as though attitudes have improved in recent decades, prejudice, discrimination, and oppression continues to affect people around the world.
The Equality Act 2010 highlights nine protected characteristics. This means it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of the following:
Under the Act, you are protected from discrimination in the following instances:
Direct discrimination is when someone treats another person with a protected characteristic less favourably than others. For example, if you have the right qualifications for a job role, but you are turned down because you are ‘too young’ or ‘too old’.
This is when a rule, policy or arrangement is in place that, while applying to everyone, puts someone with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage. Indirect discrimination can be more difficult to identify than direct discrimination, as to the majority it looks ‘normal’.
When several different types of discrimination combine to leave particular groups at an even greater disadvantage, this is described as intersectional discrimination. An example of this could be a woman from an ethnic minority group in the workplace. Discrimination against women could lead to lower pay than her male counterparts. Discrimination against an ethnic minority can also lead to her being paid less. In this instance, the woman is being discriminated against from multiple angles, so it falls under the category of intersectional discrimination.
Harassment is any unwanted behaviour that makes another person feel intimidated, offended or humiliated. This may be in the form of jokes, abuse, physical gestures, verbal or non-verbal words or offensive emails and expressions. If it violates a person’s dignity or creates an uncomfortable, offensive environment for them, it is harassment. If you’re being harassed online, it may be referred to as cyberbullying.
This is when someone is treated poorly as a result of them complaining or reporting a discrimination offence or harassment. This also includes a person being victimised because they supported another victim of discrimination.
Discrimination can also come in the form of association and perception. 'By association' is when a person is treated unfairly because they know, or are associated with someone with a protected characteristic. For example, being refused entry to a bar or restaurant because their friend is of a particular race or religion. 'By perception' is any unfair treatment put on a person because someone thinks they belong to a particular group with protected characteristics.
