Types of Discrimination

It is almost always unlawful for employers to discriminate against you on the grounds of your race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs. If you have a complaint concerning discrimination in employment, try taking the matter up with your employer or trade union. You may also be able to take your case to an employment tribunal (see page 19). If the case concerns something other than employment, you may need to go to court. Contact:

Equality and Human Rights Commission
Arndale House
The Arndale Centre
Manchester
M4 3AQ

Many people have an impairment of some kind which affects the way they live their lives. This could be physical, a learning disability, a mental health problem or sensory (sight or hearing). It is unlawful to discriminate against disabled persons in connection with their employment, provision of goods, facilities and services or in selling or renting land or property, or subject a disabled person to harassment based on that disability. Disabled people should also have the same opportunities as non disabled people to benefit, wherever possible, from education and training. Employers should also make reasonable adjustments to help disabled employees and must protect them from harrassment. If you are subject to unlawful discrimination or harassment connected with your employment, you may make an application to the Employment Tribunal otherwise you may apply to court in order to obtain compensation or other remedies.There are many organisations which work with or give help to disabled people.

For information about these organisations you could contact the:
Disabled Information and Advice line
or www.equalityhumanrights.com
Tel: 0845 604 6610
email: info@equalityhumanrights.com
Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com
Staff at the Commission can give you advice if you feel you have been  discriminated against or if you are suffering racial harassment.

This is where a person is treated less favourably or harassed because of their gender or circumstances eg if you are married, pregnant or on maternity leave, have children, are married or in a civil partnership or are undergoing gender reassignment.

If you have a complaint regarding employment, talk to your employer or trade union. It may help to write a grievance letter to your employer. You may be able to take your case to an employment tribunal. If your case isn’t concerned with employment you may be able to go to court. The CAB and the Equality and Human Rights Commission for sex discrimination and equal pay issues will be able to help you in either case.

It is now unlawful to discriminate against or harass people at work or by not recruiting them because of their age. If you feel that you are discriminated against on the grounds of your age you should take legal advice. Contact www.equalityhumanrights.com.

It is a criminal offence to harass a person. Harassment covers a lot of different situations from contacting somebody who doesn’t want to speak to you, more than once, to stalking for years. If you are subjected to an assault or harassment and the person was motivated because of prejudice about your race or religion then a court will take this into account when deciding how to deal with the person and will usually give them a harsher punishment If you need help contact the police or seek advice from a solicitor. As a confidential 24 hour alternative to reporting to the police, contact Stop Hate Line 0800 138 1625. It may be possible to obtain a court order to stop the person harassing you. If you are harassed at work because of race, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, sexuality gender reassignment contact www.equalityhumanrights.com