What Is The Difference Between Direct Discrimination And Indirect Discrimination?
Published on: 04/10/2022
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Article Authors The main content of this article was provided by the following authors.
Chris Fullerton Partner in the Employment Law Group, Arthur Cox LLP
Chris Fullerton Partner in the Employment Law Group, Arthur Cox LLP
Chris fullerton from arthur cox ni
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>Chris is a partner in the Employment Law Group of the Arthur Cox Belfast Office in Northern Ireland.

Chris has extensive experience dealing with both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters. Chris advises a range of employers on all aspects of employment law including executive appointments, severance, grievances, disciplinary issues and trade union matters. Chris has represented clients before the Industrial Tribunal, Fair Employment Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland in employment litigation such as unfair dismissal, equality/discrimination and whistleblowing. Chris’ practice area includes advisory work and corporate transactions.

What Is The Difference Between Direct Discrimination And Indirect Discrimination?

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.

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Disclaimer The information in this article is provided as part of Legal Island's Employment Law Hub. We regret we are not able to respond to requests for specific legal or HR queries and recommend that professional advice is obtained before relying on information supplied anywhere within this article. This article is correct at 04/10/2022