People will have overlapping identities and may be at risk of experiencing discrimination under more than one of the nine characteristics and across different contexts. Taking an intersectional approach means considering situations where multiple forms of discrimination may compound inequalities and create unique barriers that might be overlooked if we assess each characteristic in isolation.
Exceptions for charities
Charities are not exempt from the Equality Act, but are allowed to restrict their services to people with a particular protected characteristic if it is included in their governing document, and either
- it is objectively justified, or
- it is done to prevent or compensate for disadvantage linked to the protected characteristic.
The Equality Act includes additional exemptions for all organisations, including occupational requirements that may allow you to limit roles to people with specific protected characteristics. It also allows certain forms of positive action to address underrepresentation and disadvantage.