Discrimination is the unfair or prejudicial treatment of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or sexual orientation.

The human brain naturally puts things in categories to make sense of the world.

Very young children quickly learn the difference between boys and girls, for instance.

But the values we place on different categories are learned from our parents, our peers, and the observations we make about how the world works.

Often, discrimination stems from fear and misunderstanding.

Discrimination means treating a person unfairly because of who they are or because they possess certain characteristics.

If you have been treated differently from other people only because of who you are or because you possess certain characteristics.

If you are treated unfairly because someone you know or are associated with has a protected characteristic, this may be construed as discrimination by association.

For example, you are refused service in a restaurant because you are with someone who belongs to a particular race.

If there is a rule or policy in the workplace that puts you at a disadvantage as compared to others, it may be considered indirect discrimination.

For example, an organisation includes a clause that forces all employees to work on Sunday.

This puts Christians at a particular disadvantage as it is common knowledge that Sunday is a day of worship for Christians.

You have a right to challenge the clause if it affects you directly.

When a person is treated badly or subjected to detriment because they complained about discrimination or supported another victim of discrimination, this may be considered victimisation.

For example, you are denied training or advancement avenues at work because you filed a sexual harassment complaint against your boss.