The Equality Act 2010 provides legal protection for disability* as a protected characteristic, along with age, gender reassignment, race, religion/belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, and pregnancy/maternity. The Act states that employees (including Special Constables and police cadets, who are regarded as employees for the purposes of the EA) must not be treated unfavourably at work due to their identification or association with any of these characteristics. An employee or candidate who believes they have been subject to unlawful discriminatory behaviour by an employer may seek redress at an Employment Tribunal (see separate FAQ).

(*A disability is defined in the Equality Act as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. Certain serious illnesses such as cancer are automatically classed as disabilities under the Act.)