Am I covered by the Equality Act?

Asked by: Edwardo Johns  |  Last update: February 11, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (20 votes)

Yes, you're likely covered by the UK's Equality Act 2010 if you have a "protected characteristic" like age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or gender reassignment, or if you're associated with someone who does, protecting you from discrimination in work, education, services, and more; it covers nearly everyone in Britain in various situations, including job applicants, employees, and service users.

How do I know if I am covered by the Equality Act?

To work out if you're disabled under the Equality Act, you need to check if: You have 'an impairment' - this means your physical or mental abilities are different or reduced in some way compared to most people. Your impairment makes it harder to do everyday activities. The effect of your impairment is long-term.

Is me covered under the Equality Act?

The best way to answer this question is to refer to the 2010 Equality Act – where ME/CFS is listed as a specific medical condition. But this does not mean that everyone with ME/ CFS – regardless of the severity – is automatically classified as having a disability.

Who is covered under the Equality Act?

The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

What are examples of EEO violations?

EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) violations involve discrimination or retaliation based on protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, age (40+), disability, or national origin, with examples including refusing to hire someone due to their race, sexual harassment (unwanted advances, slurs), denying promotions to pregnant women, unequal pay, or firing someone for reporting discrimination (retaliation). These actions violate laws enforced by the EEOC and cover hiring, firing, pay, training, and workplace conditions, including harassment and failure to provide reasonable accommodations. 

When is a disability covered by the Equality Act (2010)? (S2E1)

20 related questions found

What qualifies for an EEO complaint?

An EEOC complaint qualifies if you believe you were discriminated against or harassed at work due to your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, transgender status), national origin, disability, age (40+), or genetic information, covering actions like hiring, firing, promotions, pay, harassment, or failure to accommodate, with specific legal time limits for filing that must be met before you can sue.
 

What are 5 examples of unsafe conditions?

Examples of Unsafe Working Conditions in the Workplace:

  • Inadequate or malfunctioning warning systems (or lack of such a system)
  • Flooring that has debris, water, or slippery substances that create a hazard.
  • Blocked safety exits.
  • Equipment that is not maintained or not working properly.
  • Failure to have safety guards.

How to prove discrimination at work?

To prove workplace discrimination, you need strong evidence showing you were treated unfairly due to a protected characteristic (race, gender, age, disability, etc.), often by documenting disparate treatment compared to others, gathering direct evidence like biased emails or comments, and filing a formal charge with the EEOC. Key steps involve documenting everything meticulously, finding witnesses, and showing a pattern or "smoking gun" evidence that the employer's reasons for adverse actions are a pretext for discrimination. 

What conditions automatically qualify you for disability?

The types of conditions that qualify for disability listed in the Blue Book include musculoskeletal disorders, special senses and speech, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular system disorders, digestive system, genitourinary disorders, hematological disorders, skin disorders, endocrine disorders, congenital disorders ...

Is anxiety covered under the Equality Act 2010?

A mental health condition is considered a disability if it has a long-term effect on your normal day-to-day activity. This is defined under the Equality Act 2010. Your condition is 'long term' if it lasts, or is likely to last, 12 months.

Is chronic fatigue considered a disability?

If you have ME/CFS and are unable to work, you can apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA policy for evaluating patients with ME/CFS, called SSR14-1p, was last updated in April 2014.

What are the 4 types of discrimination under the Equality Act?

If you're disabled. If you're disabled under the Equality Act, you're protected from all the main types of discrimination - direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation. You can check if you're disabled under the Equality Act.

What are the 7 types of disabilities?

Different types of disabilities

  • vision Impairment.
  • deaf or hard of hearing.
  • mental health conditions.
  • intellectual disability.
  • acquired brain injury.
  • autism spectrum disorder.
  • physical disability.
  • dyslexia.

What are 5 examples of unfair discrimination?

Five examples of unfair discrimination include being passed over for promotion due to race or gender (racial/gender bias), paying women less for the same job as men (unequal pay), denying reasonable accommodations for a disability (disability discrimination), harassing someone for their sexual orientation (sexual orientation discrimination), or retaliating against an employee for reporting harassment (retaliation). These actions unfairly disadvantage individuals based on protected traits rather than merit, violating laws like Title VII. 

How do I check if I'm disabled?

Check if you're disabled under the Equality Act

  1. you have a physical or mental impairment.
  2. your impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to do normal day-to-day activities.

What is the 80% rule in discrimination?

The 80% Rule, or Four-Fifths Rule, is an EEOC guideline to spot potential hiring discrimination: if a protected group (like a race, sex, or ethnic group) is selected at less than 80% the rate of the most favored group, it suggests "adverse impact," requiring the employer to justify the practice as job-related and necessary. It's a statistical tool, not definitive proof, indicating when further investigation into disparate impact is warranted in employment decisions.
 

How to tell HR you feel discriminated against?

A description of why you believe you were discriminated against, such as because of your race, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, or other reasons. Concisely support your case. Some conduct and comments (such as the pregnancy comment in the prior example) are discriminatory on their face.

What is the 3 part test for discrimination?

To prove discrimination, a complainant has to prove that: they have a characteristic protected by the Human Rights Code [Code]; they experienced an adverse impact with respect to an area protected by the Code; and. the protected characteristic was a factor in the adverse impact.

What evidence do you need for a discrimination case?

Direct evidence.

Direct evidence often involves a statement from a decision-maker that expresses a discriminatory motive. Direct evidence can also include express or admitted classifications, in which a recipient explicitly distributes benefits or burdens based on race, color, or national origin.

What are the 5 fair reasons for dismissal under the employment Rights Act?

There are five potentially fair reasons for dismissal under the ERA: capability or qualifications, conduct, redundancy, breach of a statutory duty or restriction and “some other substantial reason” (SOSR).

What to do if you have been discriminated against at work?

If you face workplace discrimination, first document everything, then report it internally (HR, supervisor) following company policy, and if unresolved, file a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (or a state agency), remembering there are strict time limits. Consulting an employment lawyer for guidance on gathering evidence and navigating external complaints is a crucial next step. 

What are the top 5 toxic workplace?

Among Employees

  • Gossip and Cliques. The first possible sign of a toxic workplace is when there is lots of gossiping or workplace cliques. ...
  • Bullying and Harassment. Other toxic workplace behaviors are bullying, harassment, and even sexual harassment. ...
  • Rampant Absenteeism. ...
  • Apathy, Excuse-Making, Procrastination. ...
  • Pessimism.

What is considered poor working conditions?

Unreasonable work conditions refer to unsafe, unhealthful, or unfair workplace scenarios. These conditions often not only inhibit an individual's ability to perform well but also significantly affect their morale and overall quality of life.

What is a toxic work environment?

A toxic work environment is a negative, dysfunctional workplace culture where behaviors like bullying, poor communication, lack of trust, and micromanagement are common, leading to high stress, burnout, low morale, and significant negative impacts on employees' mental and physical health, often characterized by high turnover and feeling psychologically unsafe. It's a setting where negativity and harmful practices become ingrained, hindering both individual well-being and organizational productivity.