Protected Characteristics

This is the term used to describe the nine specific attributes of
individuals that are afforded legal protection from discrimination:

1. Age

Where this is referred to, it refers to a person belonging to a particular age (eg, 32 year olds) or range of ages (eg, 18-30 year olds)

2. Disability

A person has a disability if s/he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

3. Gender

A man or a woman. A reference to persons who share a protected characteristics is a reference to persons of the same sex.

4. Gender reassignment

The process of transitioning from one gender to another. A person has the protected characteristics of gender reassignment if the person is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of reassigning the person’s sex by changing physiological or other attributes of sex.
A reference to a transsexual person is also a reference to a person who has the protected characteristics of gender reassignment.

5. Marriage and civil partnership

Marriage is defined as a 'union between a man and a woman'. Same-sex couples can have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'.  Civil partners must be treated the same as married couples on a wide range of legal matters.

6. Maternity and pregnancy

Pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding.

7. Race / ethnicity

Refers to the protected characteristic of race. It refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, and nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins.

8. Religion or belief

Religion has the meaning usually given to it but belief includes religious and philosophical beliefs including lack of belief (e.g. Atheism). Generally, a belief should affect your life choices or the way you live for it to be included in the definition.

9. Sexual orientation

Whether a person's sexual attraction is towards their own sex, the opposite sex or to either sexes.

There are some useful documents on each of the characteristics on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.