It is direct discrimination if an employer treats a worker less favourably because of the worker’s association with another person for example because of their disability, age or religion; however, this does not apply to marriage and civil partnership or pregnancy and maternity. In the case of pregnancy and maternity, a worker treated less favourably because of association with a pregnant woman, or a woman who has recently given birth, may have a claim for sex discrimination.

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Discrimination by association can occur for example, because of a relationship with a parent, son or daughter, partner, carer or friend. The association with the other person need not be a permanent one. By way of an example, a father caring for a disabled son has to take time off work whenever his son is sick or has medical appointments. The employer appears to resent the fact that the worker needs to care for his son and eventually dismisses him. The dismissal may amount to direct disability discrimination against the worker by association with his son.