Employment Discrimination Solicitors

Discrimination and harassment are two of the most common problems that occur in the workplace. Here, we will discuss the different types of discrimination and harassment at work and highlight practical steps a business can take to help avoid breaching discrimination law.

For more legal advice on discrimination laws, contact our employment discrimination solicitors.

What is considered discrimination and harassment?

The Equality Act 2010 defines discrimination as when a person (an employee) is treated 'less favourably' or differently than others because of their race, sex, age, disability, religion, or certain personal characteristics (disability discrimination). A harassment discrimination example would be if a woman was refused a job because she was pregnant or had young children.

Harassment is any unwanted behaviour which makes a person (employee) feel 'intimidated, humiliated or offended'. Harassment could include sexist jokes, racial abuse, or homophobic comments.

What is seen as direct or indirect discrimination/harassment at work?

• Direct discrimination occurs when an employee is treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic, such as their race. For example, refusing an employee a job because of their age.
• Indirect discrimination occurs when a business has a particular policy, practice or procedure which applies to everyone but could put some people at a disadvantage because of a protected characteristic. For example, having a requirement for all employees to work full-time only may be indirect age discrimination against workers who want to work part-time because of their age.

Why is it important to know about discrimination laws?

Discrimination law is designed to:

• Ensure equality of opportunity at work.
• Protect employees’ dignity.
• Ensure that complaints can be raised without fear of reprisal.

Speak to our discrimination and harassment solicitors for more legal advice on employment discrimination and how to avoid it.

What are the penalties for failing to comply with discrimination laws?

Businesses can suffer losses and damages from harassment and discrimination claims according to discrimination law, some of which include:

High compensation payments

There is no limit on the amount of compensation that can be awarded. In a recent case, an employee of an NHS Trust was awarded £4.5 million for race and sex discrimination.

Expensive litigation

Litigation can involve significant management time and legal costs, which are not usually recoverable.

Damaging publicity

Allegations of discrimination or harassment are likely to create bad publicity for a business. It is better to avoid giving rise to a claim, than to manage a crisis after a claim has been made.

Negative impact on staff morale

Discrimination and harassment issues can be highly emotive, and the process may have a negative impact on staff morale.

What areas of working life are covered by discrimination law?

Discrimination law covers all areas of employment, including:

•  Job adverts and the recruitment process.
• Conduct during employment.
• Work social events.
• Job references.

Contact our employment discrimination solicitors to learn more.

What types of discrimination at work are prohibited by discrimination law?

Businesses must not discriminate against employees on the basis of:

• Sex (for example, a business must not offer a male candidate a more attractive health care package than a female candidate for the same post).
• Gender reassignment.
• Being pregnant or on maternity leave (for example, a business should not delay the promotion of a female employee because she is on maternity leave).
• Being married or in a civil partnership.
• Race (including ethnic or national origin, nationality and colour). For example, it could be unlawful to refuse to promote an employee on the basis that English is not their first language.
• Disability (for example, a business cannot dismiss a disabled employee simply for taking substantial periods of sick leave, if they are off work because of their disability).
• Sexual orientation (for example, if a business invites employees’ partners to a social function, the invitation should be extended to same-sex partners).
• Religion or belief (for example, it may be unlawful to prohibit headwear at work, as this may discriminate against Sikhs who wear turbans for religious reasons).
• Age (for example, choosing not to interview a candidate because their application suggests they are nearing retirement age is discriminatory).

What is considered harassment at work according to discrimination law?

Harassment occurs when someone engages in unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that has the purpose or effect of violating another person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading humiliating or offensive environment for them.

Need legal advice on discrimination and harassment scenarios? Our employment law specialist can help. Contact Neil Largan.

What are the main defences to a discrimination claim?

Justification

In limited circumstances, an employee’s treatment may not be discriminatory, if it can be objectively justified. For example, a requirement to have excellent written English skills may indirectly discriminate against non-British job applicants, unless the business can show that the aims of the job in question cannot reasonably be met without that requirement.

Occupational requirements

It may be lawful to discriminate if having a particular characteristic is an occupational requirement. For example, a Catholic school may require its religious education teacher to be a Catholic.

The law requires the business to discriminate

There are some instances in which a business may be required by law to do something discriminatory. For example, immigration legislation may require the business to refuse to employ a non-EU job applicant on the grounds of their nationality, even if they are the best-qualified person for the job.

Practical steps to take to help avoid breaching discrimination law

Here is a checklist of things businesses can do to curb discrimination and harassment at work:

• Provide staff with employment handbooks (including policies on equal opportunities and harassment) setting out what constitutes acceptable behaviour and what does not.
• Provide training on equal opportunities and harassment. This may help managers:
  • avoid inappropriate questions at interviews; and recognise and deal with harassment at an early stage.
• Set up clear procedures for staff to:
  • raise concerns and complaints, and
  • deal with complaints.
• Ensure discriminatory behaviour by staff is not tolerated and is dealt with through proper disciplinary measures.
• Review employment contracts, policies and employee share schemes to ensure they comply with the law.
• Make reasonable adjustments where this will alleviate difficulties suffered by a disabled employee in the workplace (for example, by installing wheelchair ramps).
• Where possible, accommodate workers’ different cultures and religious beliefs (for example, requests for time off to pray should be allowed, unless a refusal can be justified).
• Try to accommodate requests for family-friendly hours by employees with childcare or other family commitments unless a refusal can be justified.
• Undertake equal opportunities monitoring, but do not use the forms as part of recruitment or other decision-making.

Are employees with discrimination and harassment claims protected from victimisation?

Yes. In accordance with the discrimination law, a business must not discipline an employee who either:

• Brings a discrimination claim against the business.
• Gives evidence on behalf of a colleague in an employment tribunal.

For more legal advice on discrimination laws, contact our employment discrimination and harassment solicitors.