Workplace Discrimination Solicitors
The workforce and our working patterns are changing. We’re working longer, demanding greater flexibility and have more women and ethnic minorities in senior positions than ever before.
Everyone has the right to be treated fairly at work and there are laws to protect you against discrimination and bullying in the workplace.
Similarly your employer has a duty to treat all staff fairly and appropriately, starting at the interview stage and continuing throughout your contractual employment.
The Equality Act protects you against being discriminated against because of certain characteristics, known as ‘protected characteristics’. This means that you can’t be treated unfavourably or less favourably than another person due to your age, race, gender, disability, religion or belief, marital status, sexual orientation or maternity status.
Direct discrimination
If you are treated differently on the basis of a ‘protected characteristic’, you may be able to make a direct discrimination claim. Types of claim could include age discrimination, religious discrimination, discrimination whilst pregnant or sexual discrimination at work.
To be successful, we’ll need to demonstrate that you’ve been treated less favourably than someone else with the same protected characteristic as you. This person is known as a comparator.
Indirect discrimination
Indirect discrimination can occur when an employer puts in place a policy or procedure that disadvantages certain members of the workforce. If this policy is detrimental to you and your employer can’t justify their decision, you may be able to bring a claim for discrimination.
An example of indirect discrimination would be to ban all employees from working part-time. This could be deemed discriminatory against women, since they’re more likely than men to request flexible working around childcare.
Harassment
Harassment, or bullying in the workplace, involves subjecting someone to behaviour that creates an offensive, intimidating, degrading or hostile working environment.
If you’ve suffered bullying at work and have resigned as a result of this, you may have a constructive dismissal or unfair dismissal claim. Our specialist employment law solicitors will be able to offer you tailored advice depending on your situation.
Further information
If you believed that you’ve suffered any form of discrimination or bullying at work, you may be able to make a claim for workplace discrimination. Get in touch with our specialist workplace discrimination solicitors on 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form.
