Last updated: 26 January 2026. Next review: 26 January 2028 

No one should face discrimination or abuse in the workplace. If you have a visible difference, you may be legally protected from discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.

On this page, and the guidance note within, we explain when you might be protected under the law, explore what might count as discrimination and talk you through what you can do if you think you are being discriminated against.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

The guidance note summarises some common questions relating to disfigurement equality at work in England and Wales as at July 2023. It relates to the work context only, not to the provision of goods or services or to other contexts. It gives a general overview but it is not comprehensive and is for guidance purposes only. You should always seek legal advice on your particular circumstances.

Additional comment from Alopecia UK:

We appreciate that not everyone with a visible difference, including those with alopecia, relate to the use of the description of ‘disfigurement’. Some people with visible differences are comfortable with this terminology, whilst others are not. As ‘disfigurement’ is the term used within the Equality Act 2010, it is used in this guidance note.

Read the legal protection from discrimination guidance note here