Know your rights: the Equality Act 2010

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Understanding your rights: the UK Equality Act 2010

As a university student preparing for your future career, it's important to know your rights in the workplace. The UK Equality Act (2010) aims to create a fairer and more equal society by preventing discrimination, harassment, and victimisation, and is there to protect you.

This Act means that employers (and other organisations like universities themselves) cannot treat you unfairly because of certain personal characteristics. It ensures that you have the same opportunities as everyone else, and that decisions about recruitment, employment, training, and promotion are based on your skills and abilities, not on who you are.

The Equality Act covers various aspects of employment, including:

  • Recruitment: Employers cannot discriminate against you when you apply for a job.
  • Terms and Conditions: You have the right to fair pay, benefits, and working conditions.
  • Promotion and Training: Employers must provide equal opportunities for career development.
  • Dismissal:You cannot have your employment contract terminated because of a protected characteristic..
  • Harassment: You have the right to a workplace free from unwanted behaviour that violates your dignity or creates a hostile environment.
  • Victimisation: You cannot be treated unfairly because you have made a complaint about discrimination or helped someone else do so.

The protected characteristics

The Equality Act 2010 identifies specific characteristics that are protected from discrimination. These are:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation

Knowing about these protected characteristics can help you understand when you might be experiencing discrimination and what your rights are.

Everyone is protected by the Act.

What this means for you

The Equality Act supports your right to be assessed and treated fairly. Employers are increasingly focused on building diverse and inclusive teams where everyone can contribute their unique talents. This legislation helps to ensure that decisions about recruitment and your ongoing development in a role – from your first application to future advancements – are based on your skills, experience, and potential.

Understanding the principles of the Equality Act enables you to recognise and expect fair treatment in the workplace, and during recruitment, and also offers protection if things go wrong.

For additional advice for students with protected characteristics and other personal circumstances, please also refer to the resources in Help & support in the workplace.

Additional information

  • Equality Act 2010 The act and its guidance on the UK government website.
  • ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. Also offer training and help to resolve disputes
  • Sheffield Students’ Union The Student Advice Centre is a professional, impartial, confidential and non-judgemental service, providing advice, support and representation to help you resolve your problems relating to Academic, Housing and Money issues whilst studying at the University of Sheffield.
  • Target Jobs Discrimination in the recruitment process and workplace: a legal guide for graduates
  • Citizens' Advice Bureau - the CAB provides free, independent and impartial advice.
  • Inclusion at Sheffield - The University’s site about inclusion and the support available to its students.