Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation

The directive aims to ensure that persons of a particular religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation do not suffer from discrimination and instead enjoy equal treatment in the workplace. It covers both direct discrimination (differential treatment based on a specific characteristic) and indirect discrimination (any provision, criterion or practice which is apparently neutral but puts the people in the above categories at a disadvantage compared to others). Harassment, which creates a hostile environment, is deemed to be discrimination.