Table of Contents
Direct discrimination is when a person is handled differently because of their age/race/gender etc. Not all treatment is wrongful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. It would only be unlawful discrimination if you are looked upon in a different manner because of a protected characteristic. The person treating you differently may not realise they are discriminating or not meaning to. Regardless of this, if the person is acting this way because you have a protected characteristic it is direct discrimination.
Indirect discrimination is when a management has a way of engaging which puts certain people at a disadvantage. It refers to everybody exactly the same, although it may have a negative effect on people than others. The Equality Act says it puts you at a peculiar disadvantage. Practices, policies or rules could be informal or formal. It can be a one-off outcome or a decision for the near future. It is put in place for everybody in the same way, its even-handed.
Harassment is a mode of discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. It is unnecessary and unwanted behaviour or attention which you consider intimidating and could make you feel embarrassed or humiliated. It could happen on its own or beside other forms of discrimination.
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Victimisation is when you are treated badly for making a complaint. It also happens if a person is treated horribly for aiding someone who has made an accusation of discrimination. Its described in the act as looking upon someone negatively due to them having done a ‘protected act’ or because you are adamant that person has done or is going to do a protected act.
A protected act is:
- Producing a claim or complaint of discrimination under the Equality act.
- Encouraging someone else to make a complaint by giving information.
- Creating an accusation that someone else or you have disobeyed the act.
If you do treat somebody less fairly because they have decided to take such action then this is illicit victimisation.
Age Discrimination
Age discrimination is looking upon people differently because of their age. In a workplace age becomes an influence when deciding who gets job benefits. An example of direct discrimination is when at a workplace, an item could be too heavy and a person being told they are to old to lift it. An example of indirect discrimination is when certain organizations may let you pay in instalments if you are working. This may be a problem for older people as they are less likely to be employed. An example of harassment is when at a workplace a person could criticise someone about being slow or old. An example of victimisation is if an older person has come to you about something that they believe is age discrimination and you encourage them to report it to the manager. The manager then degrades you for getting involved.
Race Discrimination
Race discrimination is treating somebody adversely because they are of a certain race or they have particular tendencies that identify their race. An example of direct discrimination is a person of a different race attending a job interview and being told that they wouldn’t fit in at this workplace.
An example of indirect discrimination is a shop keeper only suppling food for a certain race. This could be a disadvantage for other people as they are unlikely to buy this food. An example of harassment at a workplace is that a person could be racially abused by other colleagues that are considering it to be banter. An example of victimisation is the same said person going to report it and the manager telling them they could be fired if they continue their complaint.
Gender Discrimination
Sex/gender discrimination is someone being treated unfairly because of their gender. Someone could also be gender discriminated if they are associated with someone who is male or female. An example of direct discrimination is a bouncer at a nightclub letting women in for free and males are being charged. An example of indirect discrimination at a workplace is the manager altering shift patterns to a later time finish. This can be a disadvantage as parents wouldn’t be able to collect their children from school.
There are 2 examples of harassment. Number 1 being a manager suggesting that women shouldn’t be promoted because they could leave at any point to have children. This is also considered as direct discrimination. Number 2 being sexual harassment. A manager referring to sexual jokes implying he could give a female employee a pay rise if she slept with him.
An example of victimisation is a make co-worker supporting a female co-worker who has recently complained about sex discrimination. The male employer is then sacked for getting involved.
Disability Discrimination
Disability discrimination is when a person is treated less fairly than a non-disable person. They are put in a certain position because of their disability. An example of direct discrimination is a job applicant with a disability being told they cant work at a job because the manager feels the job applicant would require a lot of time off work. An example of indirect discrimination is all candidates are required to have a driving licence. This puts some disabled people at a disadvantage as some may not be allowed to have a driving licence. An example of harassment is a person being bullied at work for being disabled. An example of victimisation is the said person being called upon by the manager who claims if they continues with their complaint they will be fired.
