Discrimination at work
Discrimination at work can take a number of forms. It could relate to your employment conditions, pay and benefits, promotion and training opportunities as well as selection for redundancy or dismissal. Workplace discrimination can damage your career and personal life.
Solicitors can advise you whether you are a victim of unlawful discrimination and what action you can take.
Equality Act 2010
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers cannot normally discriminate based on your:
- Age
- Disability
- Being transgendered
- Being married or in a civil partnership
- Being pregnant or a mother
- Race
- Religion
- Gender
- Sexual orientation.
The Act prohibits direct discrimination (such as expressly restricting a promotion to people of a certain race) and indirect discrimination (for example requiring all staff to be clean shaven, which puts certain religious groups at a disadvantage).
However, some forms of discrimination are permissible where there is a good business reason.
Solicitors can help you take action to prevent the discrimination or obtain compensation in some cases.
First steps
While the first step is normally to make a complaint to your employer, a solicitor can tell you what your legal position will be if your complaint is not successful.
If you cannot resolve the problem this way, you might need to take legal action at the Employment Tribunal. In many cases, solicitors can help you negotiate a compensation settlement with your employer before the case reaches the Tribunal.
If you wish to make a confidential request for legal advice on discrimination at work, we can refer you to recommended employment solicitors in your local area. Call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.
- Last Updated on 20/05/2013
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