(Page updated 21/07/2023)
The Equality Act 2010 says you mustn’t be discriminated against because of your age. Discrimination which is against the Equality Act is unlawful. If you’ve experienced unlawful discrimination, you may be able to do something about it.
What is meant by age discrimination?
The Equality Act says it’s only unlawful discrimination if you’re treated unfairly because of certain reasons. These reasons are called protected characteristics. Age is one of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
Age discrimination is where you’re treated unfairly because of your age or because you’re part of a particular age group, which refers to people of the same age or people in a particular age range.
Other types of age discrimination:
It’s also unlawful to discriminate against you because of the age of someone you’re with or someone you know. This could be a parent, child, partner or friend.
This is called discrimination by association.
It’s unlawful if someone discriminates against you because they think you belong to a certain age group even though you don’t. This is called discrimination by perception.
For more detailed information on age discrimination please visit citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/protected-characteristics/age-discrimination
