Discrimination
Discrimination happens when an employer unlawfully treats some employees differently from others.
If you are being discriminated against, you are entitled to make a claim for compensation at the employment tribunal.
However, doing this on your own can be daunting because it involves an individual taking legal action against an employer – sometimes a large organisation. Our specialist lawyers make sure you have a level playing field.
Under the new Equality Act, which took effect in 2010, employees have greater protection against discrimination. This means it is illegal for employers to discriminate against workers with ‘protected characteristics’.
These include:
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race – including ethnic or national origins, colour and nationality
- Religion or belief
- Sex and sexual orientation
Direct discrimination involves an employer treating an employee less favourably than someone else for an unlawful reason, such as not allowing women to do driving jobs.
Indirect discrimination occurs when a working condition gives one group of people an unfair advantage over another group. This might be requiring people applying for a job to be clean shaven, which would discriminate against some religious groups.
To speak to our specialist discrimination lawyers in total confidence, call 0800 731 0717, or send an email to advice@mwrlaw.com.
