SIA Equality and Diversity 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many protected characteristics are defined under the Equality Act 2010?
- Seven
- Nine (Correct answer)
- Eleven
- Twelve
Correct answer: Nine
The Equality Act 2010 defines exactly nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of direct discrimination by a door supervisor?
- Refusing entry to someone who is visibly intoxicated
- Refusing entry to a group because they are of a particular ethnic background (Correct answer)
- Refusing entry because the venue has reached capacity
- Refusing entry to someone not meeting the dress code that applies equally to all
Correct answer: Refusing entry to a group because they are of a particular ethnic background
Direct discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic. Refusing entry based on ethnic background is unlawful direct discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
Question 3: Under the Equality Act 2010, which of the following is NOT a protected characteristic?
- Gender reassignment
- Political opinion (Correct answer)
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
Correct answer: Political opinion
Political opinion is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. The nine protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Question 4: What is indirect discrimination in the context of door supervision?
- Deliberately targeting an individual because of a protected characteristic
- Applying a rule or policy that appears neutral but disproportionately disadvantages a group with a protected characteristic (Correct answer)
- Harassing someone because of their religion
- Victimising someone who has made a discrimination complaint
Correct answer: Applying a rule or policy that appears neutral but disproportionately disadvantages a group with a protected characteristic
Indirect discrimination occurs when a policy, criterion, or practice applies to everyone equally but puts people sharing a particular protected characteristic at a disadvantage. For example, a 'no headwear' policy could indirectly discriminate against Sikh men who wear turbans.
Question 5: A venue operates a dress code requiring all patrons to wear high heels. Which protected characteristic could this most obviously breach?
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex (Correct answer)
- Age
Correct answer: Sex
A mandatory high heel policy would most obviously constitute indirect sex discrimination, as it disproportionately affects women. Such policies have been successfully challenged under the Equality Act 2010 as being discriminatory on the grounds of sex.
Question 6: Which body is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland, and Wales?
- The Security Industry Authority
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission (Correct answer)
- The Home Office
- The Health and Safety Executive
Correct answer: The Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is the statutory body responsible for enforcing the Equality Act 2010. While the SIA regulates the private security industry, equality law enforcement sits with the EHRC.
SIA Equality and Diversity 1
How many protected characteristics are defined under the Equality Act 2010?