Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Certification Practice Test

What type of discrimination is characterized by an overt requirement for a specific physical characteristic?

1. Direct discrimination

2. Indirect discrimination

3. Victimisation

4. Equal opportunity breach

The correct answer is: Direct discrimination

The correct answer is direct discrimination. This type of discrimination occurs when an individual is treated less favorably than another person due to a specific characteristic, such as age, gender, race, or in this case, a particular physical characteristic. Your question specifies an overt requirement, which underscores that direct discrimination is evident and clear-cut, as it explicitly states a condition tied to that physical trait, differentiating it from other forms of discrimination. To provide context, indirect discrimination involves policies or practices that appear neutral but disproportionately disadvantage a particular group, which is not applicable here since the requirement is overt and explicit. Victimization refers to treating someone unfairly because they have made a complaint about discrimination or assisted in such a complaint, rather than being about specific physical requirements. Similarly, an equal opportunity breach pertains to violations of laws or regulations designed to promote equality and prevent discrimination but does not directly address instances of overt discriminatory requirements. Thus, the characterization of an overt requirement for a specific physical characteristic aligns most closely with direct discrimination.