Most people know discrimination is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010, but can you tell the difference between ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ discrimination?

Indirect discrimination definition

A prospective or actual employee is directly discriminated against by another person if they treat the individual less favourably than they treat others because of a protected characteristic.

Indirect discrimination occurs when a company’s policies, procedures or rules which apply to everyone has the effect that people with a certain protected characteristic are put at a disadvantage when compared with those who do not share it.

The relevant protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Examples of indirection discrimination in the workplace

• An employer introduces a new dress code to the workplace. As part of the rules, they decide to prohibit cornrow hairstyles. This could amount to indirect race discrimination as it is more likely that these hairstyles will be worn by certain racial groups.

• If you require employees to work full time, you may put female employees at a disadvantage. It is more likely that they are the primary carer of their children and may need to work part-time or work flexibly. This could constitute indirect sex discrimination.

• You require that all your staff work on Sundays. This could indirectly discriminate against people of certain religions who cannot work on this day.

Remember – for indirect discrimination to occur, it has to be them personally put at a particular disadvantage. It is not sufficient for them to say that they are part of the group of people with this protected characteristic.

Justification

As an employer you may justify this by showing that this policy or procedure was objectivity justified. There must be a real business need, for example, health and safety. However, this is not enough. You must also be able to show that it is a proportionate means of achieving this legitimate aim. In other words, you must show that you have thought about the effects of your practices or measures and considered that this was the least discriminatory way to do things.

Read our other articles on discrimination:

• Direct discrimination
• Discrimination by association and perception

Avoid discrimination in job interviews:

• Interviews – 6 things you can’t ask
• Health and disability during a disability
• Avoiding discrimination claims during an interview

You must also make sure that your job adverts are not discriminatory.

Our Employment Law Advisers can help you understand discrimination. Ensure you don’t fall on the wrong side of equality laws.