There are a number of different types of discrimination. Direct discrimination is where an employee is treated less favourably by their employer on the basis of a protected characteristic. Examples of protected characteristics are age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief or political opinion.

Indirect discrimination is where working conditions or workplaces rules place an individual or group of individuals a greater disadvantage. Harassment is where an individual is treated in a way that violates their dignity, or they are treated in an intimidating, hostile or degrading way on the grounds on a protected characteristic. Victimisation is where an individual is treated differently because they have made a complaint about discrimination.