Direct discrimination is described as treating someone ‘less favourably’ than other people on the grounds of a protected characteristic.

Indirect discrimination is where workplace rules or arrangements apply equally to everyone, but inadvertently puts someone with a protected characteristic at a disadvantage, and cannot be shown to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. It also includes rules and arrangements where a small number of people cannot comply with certain requirements, putting that group people at a detriment. Indirect discrimination covers not only individuals who are put at an actual disadvantage but also individuals who are deterred from trying to access employment because of a certain rules or arrangements.