EHRC Guidance: Sex Discrimination

In brief

EHRC's public-facing guidance explaining the Equality Act's provisions on sex discrimination, including the meaning of sex as a protected characteristic, types of sex discrimination, and lawful exceptions.

Key provisions

• holding-1 — What the Equality Act says about sex discrimination: Explains the scope of sex discrimination protection under the Equality Act, including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
• holding-2 — Different types of sex discrimination: Describes different types of sex discrimination with worked examples: less favourable treatment, provision/criterion/practice causing disadvantage, unwanted conduct related to sex.
• holding-3 — Circumstances when sex-based differential treatment is lawful: Explains when sex-based differential treatment is lawful, including single-sex services (Schedule 3), occupational requirements (Schedule 9), and positive action.

When relevant

Understanding sex discrimination law, particularly in the context of single-sex spaces and the interaction with gender reassignment protection.