Your right to be treated fairly

Two people picking on another two people. They have red crosses in front of them. The test reads 'the right to be treated fairly'.

The right to be treated fairly is one of your 16 human rights.

Human rights are the rights we all have as human beings.

Your human rights

A person sitting in a wheelchair smiling, next to an image of the Equality Act.

The Equality Act 2010 is a law that makes sure all people in Britain are treated fairly.

Equality means treating people as equals.

A group of people standing together with their arms around the person in the middle.

This means people are treated fairly and have equal chances and choices.

Equality does not mean treating everyone in the same way.

A group of people. Four people are standing and two people are sitting in wheelchairs.

Some people may need extra help or support to have the same chances and choices as everyone else.

A person being talked about by two other people.

Discrimination means treating people differently or badly because of characteristics like age, race, or disability.

It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:

  • age
  • disability
  • gender reassignment
  • marriage and civil partnership
  • pregnancy and maternity
  • race
  • religion or belief
  • sex
  • sexual orientation

These are called protected characteristics.

A group of five people.

Under the Equality Act you are protected from discrimination when you:

  • are at work
  • use public services, like health care, social care or education
  • use businesses like shops, restaurants and cinemas
  • use transport
  • join a club or group, like a local sports club
  • have contact with public bodies like local councils or government departments.
Four council workers standing in front of a council building.

The Equality Act also means public bodies have to think about how our decisions and policies affect people with different protected characteristics.

This is called the Public Sector Equality Duty.

A person using an iPad.

For more information and advice, you can contact the Doncaster Council Equalities Team.

Website: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Email: equalities@doncaster.gov.uk

Telephone: 01302 862533

A person talking on the telephone.

The Equality Advisory and Support Service provides help with equality and human rights across England, Scotland and Wales.

Website: Equality Advisory and Support Service

Telephone: 0808 800 0082