Discrimination in the Workplace for Employees
As an employee you are protected from discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination may be direct, indirect, by way of victimisation or harassment. Direct discrimination could arise when you suffer unfavourable treatment around promotion opportunities. Indirect discrimination could be when your employer applies a policy to you which as a result is discriminatory. Harassment could be comments made to you by your employer or another employee and victimisation could be that you have raised issues and as a result have suffered unfavourable treatment. The Equality Act 2010 provides 9 protected characteristics which offer protection from discrimination.
Discrimination in the Workplace for Employees
Discrimination in the workplace can be direct/indirect by way of harassment or victimisation.
Sometimes it may be obvious from remarks made in the workplace that there is discrimination but in other situations it may be unclear whether there is discrimination.
Common reasons when discrimination occurs is due to long term sick leave, sickness absence, or failure to make adjustments in the workplace to accommodate a disability.
Furthermore, you may suffer discriminatory remarks due to your race, age or other protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and should always seek legal advice. You may, as an employee, suffer bullying and harassment and if this is related to a protected characteristic then you may have a potential claim.
What Are The Protected Characteristics in the Equality Act? The protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 are: Age, Gender, Race, Disability, Religion or belief, Sexual orientation, Gender reassignment, Marriage or civil partnerships and Pregnancy and maternity.
What Are the 4 Types of Discrimination in the Workplace?
- Direct discrimination
- Indirect discrimination
- Harassment
- Victimisation
What’s the Difference Between Direct & Indirect Discrimination?
Direct discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favourably in the workplace because of a protected characteristic.
Indirect discrimination occurs when a workplace policy or procedure applies to everybody, but it puts those who have a protected characteristic at a disadvantage.
Could I Be Entitled to Compensation for Discrimination?
Discrimination is one of the most serious claims that can be made at an employment tribunal and is taken very seriously by tribunal judges and by society at large
Being discriminated against means you are treated less favourably than others because of a ‘protected characteristic’ such as your race, sex and age. If you suffer loss or harm as a result of discrimination, the law says you are entitled to financial compensation for being so badly treated.
