Equality and Diversity

5. The Protected Characteristics

Protected characteristics are personal traits that are protected by law and cannot be used as a reason to discriminate against someone. There are 9 protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010. These are:

• age;

• disability;

• gender reassignment;

• marriage and civil partnership;

• pregnancy and maternity;

• race;

• religion or belief;

• sex;

• sexual orientation.