The Equality Act (2010)

The Equality Act (2010) consolidated and streamlined previous anti-discrimination legislation.  The Act reformed and harmonised discrimination law and strengthened it to support progress on equality.

The ‘protected characteristics’, grounds upon which discrimination is unlawful, are:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Race
  • Sex
  • Pregnancy or maternity status
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage or civil partnership status
  • Religion or belief (which includes lack of belief)
  • Sexual orientation

Discrimination on any of the above means we are breaking the law.  It would also damage the University’s reputation as a good place to work and is against our values.  We want to provide a workplace which respects diversity and is open to everyone.