Discrimination at work can be extremely unsettling. Being discriminated against in the workplace can often lead to feelings of anxiety, isolation and low self-esteem.
Workplace discrimination can even result in an employee leaving their job, which can cause mental health issues and put them under financial strain.
Employees who are subjected to discrimination from an employer often feel powerless and at a loss to know what to do.
However, UK employment law protects individuals against discrimination by an employer. If you think you are being treated unfairly for certain reasons, you may have a discrimination case.
In this blog, our experienced Employment lawyers answer some frequently asked questions about discrimination at work.
What is discrimination at work?
Workplace discrimination is when an employee is treated less favourably than others because of a certain ‘protected characteristic’.
What laws protect individuals from workplace discrimination?
In the UK, you’re legally protected from discrimination at work by the Equality Act 2010.
Under the Equality Act, it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of nine ‘protected characteristics’:
- Age.
- Gender reassignment.
- Being married or in a civil partnership.
- Being pregnant or on maternity leave.
- Disability.
- Race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin.
- Religion or belief.
- Sex.
- Sexual orientation.
What are the different types of workplace discrimination?
The Equality Act 2010 recognises four main types of discrimination:
- Direct discrimination. This means treating one person worse than another because of a protected characteristic. An example might include a woman being paid less than a man for a job that is comparable in terms of responsibilities and qualifications.
- Indirect discrimination. This occurs when everyone is treated equally, but people with a protected characteristic are put at a disadvantage. For example, a company introduces a policy that all staff must work on a Saturday, even if it runs contrary to an individual’s religious beliefs.
- Harassment. This is defined as ‘unwanted or offensive behaviour related to a protected characteristic’. Examples might include derogatory comments about someone or unwanted sexual advances.
- Victimisation. This protects people from being treated unfairly if they are bringing a complaint under the Equality Act or supporting someone else who is, for example, dismissing someone from work for raising a complaint about sexual harassment.
What must employers do under the Equality Act to protect against discrimination at work?
By law, all employers must:
- Make sure they do not unfairly discriminate in any aspect of work. This includes employment terms and conditions, pay and benefits, promotion and transfer opportunities, training, recruitment and redundancies.
- Take steps to prevent discrimination, such as implementing clear anti-discrimination policies, providing regular training, and ensuring a supportive working environment.
- Do all they reasonably can to protect people from discrimination by others.
- Provide a ‘duty of care’, which means they look after their employees’ wellbeing.
How can you prove workplace discrimination?
If you think you are being discriminated against at work, you should seek specialist legal advice from an employment law solicitor with experience in workplace discrimination claims.
Employment law can be exceptionally complex, and a specialist employment lawyer will advise the best way to proceed based on your situation.
If you need to speak to one of our discrimination solicitors in Portsmouth or Waterlooville, call today on 023 9244 8100 or make an online enquiry.
You should also keep a record of what has happened and start to gather any evidence that might support your claim. This can include the names of the parties involved, the dates the discrimination occurred, and what it involved.
Any evidence you may have, such as emails or social media messages, as well as details of any individuals who may have witnessed the discrimination, will also be helpful.
Solicitor for Discrimination at Work Portsmouth
Dealing with discrimination at work can be distressing and overwhelming, particularly if you are unaware of your rights.
If you feel that you have been mistreated or dismissed unfairly from your job, seeking prompt, considerate advice from a specialist employment lawyer is vital.
At Larcomes, our employment law team offers a comprehensive employment law advice service for employees who might be dealing with difficult legal issues in the workplace, including discrimination at work.
Our employment law solicitors can assist on a wide range of employment law matters for employees including:
- Unfair or Constructive Dismissal.
- Discrimination Claims.
- Settlement or Compromise Agreements.
- Bullying or Harassment.
- Employment Tribunal.
- Redundancy.
- Employment Contracts.
- Maternity / Paternity Rights.
Remember you can talk to us in complete confidence and gain reassurance from speaking to someone who understands your situation.
To speak to one of our specialist employment law experts, call today on 023 9244 8100 or make an online enquiry.
