Guides › Work and Employment › Discrimination at Work: The 9 Protected Characteristics
Discrimination at Work: The 9 Protected Characteristics
It is against the law to treat you unfairly at work because of a protected characteristic. You are protected from day one, including when applying for a job, and you are also protected if you are treated badly for complaining about discrimination or supporting someone else's complaint.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Who Is Protected
The 9 Characteristics
Age; gender reassignment; being married or in a civil partnership; being pregnant or on maternity leave; disability; race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin); religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation. source
Wider Protection
You are protected if you are associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, or if you have complained about discrimination or supported someone else's claim. source
Making A Claim
Time Limit
For discrimination the time limit runs from the most recent incident: 6 months if it was on or after 1 October 2026. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 6 monthsTime limit (minus 1 day)From the most recent incident, if on or after 1 October 2026
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Write down each incident and who was involved.
Step 2 of 4
Raise a grievance.
Step 3 of 4
Get advice from Acas or the Equality Advisory and Support Service.
Step 4 of 4
Tell Acas before the time limit and make your claim.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Acas Helpline
Free and confidential. 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Acas Early Conciliation
You must tell Acas before you make most tribunal claims. It is free.
Equality Advisory and Support Service
Free help for discrimination problems.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Rules here are for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own employment law, the Labour Relations Agency and industrial tribunals; see nidirect.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/employment-tribunals Checked 15 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/contact Checked 8 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/early-conciliation/how-early-conciliation-works Checked 8 October 2026