What Is a Discrimination Claim?
Discrimination in the workplace occurs when an employee is treated unfairly or less favorably because of certain protected characteristics. These characteristics, as defined by the Equality Act 2010, include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Discrimination can manifest in various forms, such as direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimization. Workplace rights safeguarded by an experienced employment solicitor.
The Equality Act 2010 is a UK law that protects workers from being treated unfairly due to:
Age discrimination
Sexual orientation
Pregnancy and maternity
Civil partnership and marriage
Race
Gender reassignment
Religion or belief
Sex
Disability
If you face discrimination in the workplace, you have a legal right to take action.
An experienced employment lawyer can guide you through discrimination law and help you get the legal advice you need. A lawyer can:
Explain your rights
Gather evidence
Prepare your claim in the Employment Tribunal
Negotiate a settlement agreement
Represent you in legal proceedings
If your employer does not hire or promote you because of your age, this may be age discrimination. Some employees also face pressure to retire early, which is also unlawful.
If you are treated unfairly because of who you love, this may be discrimination based on sexual orientation. This includes harassment, exclusion from workplace activities, or unfair dismissal.
If you lose your job or are treated badly because you are pregnant, you may have a pregnancy and maternity discrimination claim. Employers must provide maternity leave and ensure you are not treated unfairly during or after pregnancy.
If you are in a civil partnership and are treated unfairly, you may have a discrimination case. Employees in civil partnerships should receive the same rights as those who are married.
Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or religion can happen in hiring, promotion, pay, or workplace culture. This is illegal under the Equality Act 2010.
Employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. If they fail to do so, this can be a discrimination claim.
If you want to make a discrimination claim, you must act fast. The time limit to file a claim is three months less one day from the date of the discrimination. If you miss this deadline, you may not be able to make a claim.
If your employer does not resolve the issue, you may need to take your case to an Employment Tribunal. This is a legal process where a judge will decide if you were treated less favourably. The tribunal can order your employer to:
Pay compensation
Change their policies
Give you your job back (in some cases)
To increase your chances of success, you should:
Keep records of incidents, including dates and times
Save emails, messages, or documents that show discrimination
Gather witness statements
Seek legal advice from an experienced employment lawyer
If you win your case, you may get compensation for:
Loss of wages
Emotional distress
Damage to your career
Legal costs
In some cases, you can also claim for personal injury if discrimination caused you stress, anxiety, or other health issues.
A settlement agreement is a legal document that ends a dispute between you and your employer. Your employer may offer you a settlement instead of going to court. An employment lawyer can help you decide if the offer is fair.
A settlement agreement might be a good option if:
You want to avoid a long legal battle
The compensation offered is reasonable
You have secured another job
You want to protect your professional reputation
However, if the offer is too low, an employment lawyer can help you negotiate a better deal.
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If you believe you have been treated less favourably at work, contact us today for a free consultation. We will help you understand your rights and take the best legal action to protect your interests.