Law protects against discrimination under the following criteria (protected criteria)

• Sex
• Pregnancy
• Status as a married person or civil partner
• Gender reassignment
• Race
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Religion or belief
• Age

These are often referred to as the different strands of discrimination law.
While the law in relation to each strand is very similar there important differences.

Discrimination law protects a wide range of individuals within the field of employment occupation and vocational training.

It is unlawful for an employer to;

• Discriminate directly by treating another person less favourably than others because of one of above criteria where this cannot be justified.
• Discriminate indirectly by applying provision, criteria or practice that discriminates people of protected criteria where this cannot be objectively justified.
• Subject someone to Reassignment on grounds of protected criteria.
• Victimise someone because they have made or intend to make a complaint or allegation or have given evidence against someone else in relation to a complaint of protected criteria.