Which act ensures that employees cannot be discriminated against based on protected characteristics?

The Equality Act 2010 is the legislation that safeguards individuals from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society based on specific protected characteristics. These characteristics include age, disability, race, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. The Act promotes equality and aims to create a fairer society by ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or personal characteristics.

In contrast, the other acts mentioned serve different purposes. Working Time Regulations focus on the rights related to working hours, rest breaks, and annual leave. The Employment Rights Act 1996 deals primarily with employment rights and protections related to unfair dismissal, redundancy, and other employment issues. The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 establishes the minimum wage at which workers must be paid, ensuring basic income equality but not specifically addressing discrimination based on protected characteristics. Therefore, the Equality Act 2010 is the correct answer as it directly addresses the prevention of discrimination based on various characteristics.