UK: Discrimination in the Workplace

Discrimination in the workplace is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on individuals and businesses. It can lead to lost opportunities, decreased productivity, and a hostile work environment.

The UK has laws in place to protect employees from discrimination, but it is still a problem. In 2021, there were over 25,000 discrimination claims made to the Employment Tribunals in the UK.

Types of Discrimination

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender and sexual orientation.

These are known as the “protected characteristics”. Discrimination can take many forms, including:

Direct discrimination: This is when someone is treated less favourably because of their protected characteristic. For example, an employer might refuse to hire someone because they are pregnant.

Indirect discrimination: This is when a rule or practice applies to everyone but has a disproportionate impact on people with a protected characteristic. For example, a company policy that requires all employees to work late hours might have a disproportionate impact on parents with young children.

Harassment: This is unwanted conduct that is related to someone’s protected characteristic and has the purpose or effect of violating their dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or offensive environment. For example, making offensive jokes about someone’s race or religion.

Victimisation: This is when someone is treated less favourably because they have made a complaint about discrimination or supported someone else who has made a complaint.

Legal Protections

The Equality Act 2010 gives employees the right to bring a claim to an Employment Tribunal if they believe they have been discriminated against. The Tribunal can award compensation for the financial and emotional losses that the employee has suffered.

Employers also have a legal duty to take steps to prevent discrimination in the workplace. This includes having a policy on discrimination and harassment, providing training to employees, and investigating any complaints that are made.

What to Do If You Have Been Discriminated Against

If you believe you have been discriminated against, the first step is to talk to your employer. You should try to resolve the issue informally. If you are unable to resolve the issue informally, you can make a complaint to an Employment Tribunal.

You can also contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) for advice. The EHRC is a government body that promotes equality and human rights.

Discrimination in the workplace is a serious issue, but there are legal protections in place to help employees. If you believe you have been discriminated against, you should talk to your employer or the EHRC for advice.

Further Reading

Equality Act 2010: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
Employment Tribunals: https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunals
Equality and Human Rights Commission: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

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