Equality & Discrimination

It doesn’t matter which industry you operate in, every work setting has requirements on equality, diversity, discrimination, and rights.

The modern workplace is a diverse environment. As a result, the opportunity for discrimination is greater than ever before.

As you’re probably aware, the Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from discrimination. This piece of equal opportunities and anti-discrimination legislation protects people based a number of protected characteristics.

Unfortunately, despite this, harassment, bullying, and abuse still occur.

As an employer, it’s your job to encourage equality, stamp out discrimination and act decisively when it occurs.

Our articles won’t just bring you the latest updates in this area. They’ll help eliminate sex and gender discrimination. Tackle sexual orientation prejudice. Fight religious discrimination. Ensure equality for disabled employees. Promote inclusivity for those who have undergone, or are in the process of gender reassignment. Protect those who are unfairly treated following marriage or pregnancy. Remove age discrimination from your workplace. And finally, highlight the differences between direct vs indirect discrimination, and how to avoid both.

If you have any questions about equal opportunities and discrimination you can get in touch with us on 01455 858 132.

All Content

Direct Discrimination

BLOG

Direct Discrimination in the Workplace

Did you know that direct discrimination can occur as early as the interview stage in employment? Whe

Read more
Workplace Reasonable Adjustments: An Employer's Guide

FREE DOWNLOAD

Workplace Reasonable Adjustments: An Employer's Guide

Read more
Indirect Discrimination

BLOG

Indirect Discrimination in the Workplace

How do you best avoid discriminating against an individual? The obvious first thought that comes to

Read more

BLOG

Religious Discrimination

A particular religion or belief can play a big part of an individual’s life. While you may or may no

Read more
meeting at work

BLOG

Unfair Treatment at Work in the UK

We would like to believe that nobody feels unfairly treated at work, but sadly, this is not the case

Read more
meeting at work

BLOG

What is Unconscious Bias?

The vast majority of companies in the country will know about discrimination and will actively take

Read more
Protected Characteristics

BLOG

The Nine Protected Characteristics in UK Law

In UK employment law, the Equality Act 2010 identifies nine protected characteristics. In HR, we tal

Read more
pride bracelets

BLOG

Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Although there have been huge strides in equality in the past few years, discrimination in the workp

Read more
Croner Gender Reassignment Booklet

FREE DOWNLOAD

Gender Reassignment in the Workplace

This white paper explains your responsibilities, as an employer, to an employee undergoing gender reassignment surgery

Read more
Accommodating Ramadan Workplace

BLOG

Accommodating Ramadan in the Workplace

Ramadan is the Islamic holy month of fasting, next beginning on 11 March, and is observed by Muslims

Read more

BLOG

Racial Discrimination at Work

Racial Discrimination and legislation There are various pieces of legislation to do with racial dis

Read more

BLOG

Supporting Employees’ Dietary Diversity

It may seem simple at first glance, but for many employers, being inclusive of employees’ dietary re

Read more

BLOG

Celebrate Black History Month UK at Work

Business leaders like you might be wondering how to best recognise Black History Month this October.

Read more

BLOG

Sex Discrimination

Sexual discrimination can be difficult to root out in organisations. Especially when it’s not obviou

Read more

BLOG

Gender Diversity in the Workplace

As an employer, you should be in no doubt aware that gender equality should be a given. Equal opport

Read more

BLOG

Gender Discrimination in the Workplace

Discrimination in the workplace occurs when you treat an employee less favourably because of a prote

Read more

BLOG

Benefits of diversity in the workplace

Today, more employers are prioritizing diversity, inclusivity and equality initiatives to help their

Read more

BLOG

Disability Discrimination at Work

As an employer, you need to understand disability discrimination. Whether you employ disabled staff

Read more

BLOG

Discrimination at Work

Individuals from different backgrounds and with a variety of life experiences make up the modern wor

Read more

BLOG

Sexual Harassment at Work

Sexual harassment isn't always easy to spot or remove in a business. But, every employer has a duty

Read more

BLOG

Perceptive Discrimination - An HR Guide

Did you know that an employee doesn’t have to have a protected characteristic to claim discriminatio

Read more

BLOG

Remote Working Bias – “The Zoom Ceiling”

Working remotely can present barriers to progression. Not quite a ceiling, more of a screen, the ter

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Football Team Support - A Philosophical Belief?

The Employment Tribunal has ruled that support for a football club (in this case, Rangers) is not ta

Read more
Person Running towards a lift

BLOG

Coming Out at Work

Add this infographic to your website by copying and pasting the following embed code: <div sty

Read more
Equality & Diversity Policy

FREE DOWNLOAD

Equality & Diversity Policy

Read more
Man with paint on hand

BLOG

Case Law Update: Forstater v CGD Europe

The case of Forstater v CGD Europe is a long and complex one. It has gone from employment tribunal (

Read more
Outside of WH Smith Store

BLOG

Case Law Update: Discrimination & Constructive Dismissal

An employment tribunal has upheld a claim for indirect sex discrimination and constructive unfair di

Read more
Worker operating switches

BLOG

How to Tackle Gender Diversity in Male Dominated Industries

Despite the fact several industries have closed the gender gap, there are still many sectors that ar

Read more
Police on street

BLOG

Case Law Update: Harassment & Working Hours

An employment tribunal has found that a police officer was the victim of harassment and victimisatio

Read more

BLOG

How to Deal With Employee Victimisation

How do you deal with victimisation at work, as an employer? This type of mistreatment in the workpla

Read more
asda lorry on motorway

BLOG

Case Law Update: Dementia & Disability Discrimination

An Employment Tribunal has found that an older employee with dementia was: Constructively dismiss

Read more
Burden Of Proof

BLOG

Burden of Proof in Employment Tribunal Cases

Before making a claim in a tribunal, an individual needs to prove they have a case. The burden of pr

Read more
Image of person with arm around another person

BLOG

Historical LGBT+ Employment Cases and their Significance

When the Equality Act 2010 was introduced it ensured LGBT+ individuals were not discriminated agains

Read more
people queuing socially distanced

BLOG

Case Law Update: Fear of COVID - A Philosophical Belief?

The Employment Tribunal (ET) recently came to a decision on protected beliefs under the Equality Act

Read more
image of people in court

BLOG

Case Law Update: Menopause & Discrimination

The menopause is a particularly contentious point in employment law. This is because there is preced

Read more
meeting at work

BLOG

Top Tips for Avoiding Discrimination in Recruitment

Recruitment can be a costly and time-consuming business. It can also be litigious. There’s legislat

Read more
Couple sat smiling together reading

BLOG

Case Law Update: Compulsory Retirement Age

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has upheld contrasting decisions on the effect of the same empl

Read more
Age discrimination

BLOG

Ageism in the Workplace

Could age discrimination claims affect your business? It might happen more often than you’d expect.

Read more
ADHD inclusion in the workplace

BLOG

Neurodiversity

Many businesses celebrate workplace diversity and inclusion. But that doesn’t just cover sexuality o

Read more
Woman sat at laptop writing

BLOG

Case Law Update: Sithirapathy v PSI CRO UK Ltd and others

The Employment Tribunal (ET) has dismissed a series of claims concerning discrimination, unfair and

Read more
2 people smiling behind sad man in foreground

BLOG

Types of Discrimination

At first glance, it seems quite simple. There are nine protected characteristics—so there must be ni

Read more
people sat at desk writing

BLOG

New Sexual Harassment Prevention Duty Announced

The Government has given its response to the consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace. Thi

Read more

BLOG

Dobson v North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

An employment appeal tribunal (EAT) has upheld a claim of indirect sex discrimination because the em

Read more

BLOG

Transgender Views are a Philosophical Belief, EAT Holds

The case first hit the headlines when author JK Rowling was attacked for tweeting in favour of the c

Read more

BLOG

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity – Token Gestures vs Real Change

Lego recently made headlines for introducing a new LGBTQ+ set, entitled “Everyone is Awesome”. The

Read more

BLOG

Equal Opportunities in the Workplace

The UK is a multicultural, multiabled and neurodiverse country. To reflect this, UK legislation sets

Read more

BLOG

Ramadan During Lockdown

Ramadan is the holy month of the Islamic calendar often involving a period of fasting during dayligh

Read more

BLOG

Mental Health Discrimination at Work

Sometimes, people treat those who have mental health problems differently at work because of their m

Read more

BLOG

Tattoos in the Workplace

Fashion and tastes are cyclical. With styles and ideas coming in and out of fashion. In the early 1

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Chalmers v Airport Ltd

The EAT has dismissed a victimisation claim. They ruled that wording used by the claimant in a griev

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Chief Con of Devon and Cornwall Police v Town

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has upheld a ruling that a pregnant police officer was discrimi

Read more

BLOG

Civil Service Scrap Unconscious Bias Training

What is unconscious bias? It’s the idea that individuals are unconsciously drawn to an individual d

Read more

BLOG

Case Law: Double Discrimination & Disability

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that in circumstances where there is no evidence of a

Read more

BLOG

Positive Action

Diversity in the workplace can determine the success of your business. Many studies have shown that

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Can Indirect Age Discrimination be Justified?

The Court of Appeal has held that indirect age discrimination can potentially be justified. This cou

Read more

BLOG

The Dangers of Unconscious Bias

The vast majority of companies in the country will know about discrimination and will actively take

Read more
Woman sat at desk

BLOG

Objective Justification

In UK employment law, discrimination in the workplace is illegal under the Equality Act 2010. Howeve

Read more
Stressed person surround by people with paperwork

BLOG

Associative Discrimination at Work

To protect employees, the government introduced the Equality Act 2010. This act outlined nine protec

Read more

BLOG

5 Disciplinary Procedure Essentials for Cases of Harassment

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for harassment problems to emerge in a workplace. If it occurs in y

Read more

BLOG

7 Steps for Managing Harassment in the Workplace

Unfortunately, harassment in the workplace is still a serious problem in the UK. Protecting employee

Read more
woman on phone at desk

BLOG

Religious Discrimination in the Workplace

Religion or belief can be a big part of an individual’s life. While you may or may not believe it ha

Read more
couple looking at computer

BLOG

What is Positive Discrimination in the UK?

In today’s business and social climate, it’s important to embrace diversity to ensure your business

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Disability Discrimination & Personality Disorders

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that the tribunal did not err by finding a claimant h

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Disability Discrimination & Medical Evidence

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that an employment tribunal (ET) was right to rely on

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Disability Discrimination & Pensions

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled on a case involving two disabled police officers and

Read more

BLOG

8 Top Tips for Investigating a Claim of Harassment

In cases of harassment you must follow a set process and deal with any harassment complaint quickly,

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: When is an Impairment a Disability?

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that, when bringing a claim of disability discriminat

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Company Losses & Reasonable Adjustments

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has found that permitting an employee to work from home at a mo

Read more
2 people sign language

BLOG

Case Law Update - Discrimination Cancelled out by Rehiring

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that individuals who have been dismissed, but then la

Read more

BLOG

Ethical Veganism is a Philosophical Belief

Under the Equality Act 2010, it’s unlawful to discriminate against an individual because of their re

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update - When Immigration & Employment Law Collide

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has held that an organisation was wrong to completely depend on a neg

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Gray v Mulberry Company (Design) Limited

The Court of Appeal has upheld earlier decisions that an employee’s belief in the right to own the c

Read more

BLOG

Pregnancy Discrimination

Discrimination is an employment tribunal case waiting to happen. Despite this, pregnancy and materni

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Religious Preaching in the Workplace

The Court of Appeal has ruled that a Nurse was fairly dismissed on allegations she’d engaged in inap

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: When is a Disability a Disability?

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that, when evaluating if an impairment should be clas

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Philosophical Belief & Personal Pronouns

The employment tribunal (ET) has held that a doctor’s ‘conscientious objection’ to refer to transgen

Read more

BLOG

Disability - An Employer's Responsibilities

October is National Disability Awareness month. If you weren’t already, it’s important to be aware o

Read more

BLOG

Case Law - Discrimination Outside of Work

The EAT has held that employers could avoid being liable for discriminatory acts committed by their

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Discrimination as a Result of Employer's Belief

A recent ruling has found that direct discrimination claims that arise as a result of the alleged di

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Mental Health Discrimination

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that an employer didn’t have ‘constructive knowledge’

Read more

BLOG

Case Law Update: Disability Discrimination

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that when making a reasonable adjustment to assist a

Read more

BLOG

5 Top Tips - Creating an Inclusive Workplace

Add this infographic to your website by copying and pasting the following embed code: <div sty

Read more

BLOG

Diversity in the Workplace

At the heart of every successful business is a respected workforce. These employees work hard to hel

Read more
mythbuster image

BLOG

Mythbuster: The LGBT+ Experience in the Workplace

June is Pride Month, which means it’s the perfect chance to address some of the myths surrounding LG

Read more
mythbuster image

BLOG

[Mythbuster] There's No Need to Make Allowances for Employees Fasting for Ramadan

This year, Ramadan falls on the 5th May and ends on 4th June. The observance is much more than a com

Read more

BLOG

Understanding Wage Differentials and Identifying Factors That Affect It

The first step to understanding wage differentials is knowing the distinction between wage and salar

Read more

BLOG

Hug or Harassment? How Can You Be Sure?

Reports have come to light of a culture of ‘forced hugging’ within the fashion chain, Ted Baker. Mor

Read more
Handling Discrimination At Work

BLOG

How Employers Can Handle Discrimination at Work

Despite progress in stamping out workplace discrimination, it’s still a part of the modern business

Read more

BLOG

Age Discrimination: Examples and What You Need to Know

The Equality Act 2010 forbids you from discriminating against job seekers, your staff, and trainees.

Read more
mythbuster image

BLOG

Mythbuster – Diversity Training Encourages Reverse Discrimination

There are some employees who feel that participating in diversity training is an attack on their rac

Read more

BLOG

What is Harassment in the Workplace?

Harassment at work involves one or more employees causing a colleague to feel upset, shamed, intimid

Read more
Pay Protection

FREE DOWNLOAD

Pay Protection

Exploring the case of G4S Cash Solutions (UK) Limited and Powell and what can be learnt.

Read more
Improve Gender Equality Workplace

BLOG

What Can Employers do to Improve Gender Equality?

Gender equality in the workplace has been making headlines in recent months and, along with workers’

Read more
Manage Autistic Employee

BLOG

How to Manage an Autistic Employee

Taking on an autistic employee can prove beneficial for an employer due to the range of exceptional

Read more
Managing Workplace Harassment

BLOG

10 Top Tips For Managing Workplace Harassment

The fight against harassment has spread to all corners of society – from Hollywood and the Golden Gl

Read more
Indirect discrimination race

BLOG

The Legal Test in a Case of Indirect Discrimination

Under the Equality Act 2010 (pertaining to equality act case law), it is unlawful for an employer to

Read more
Reasonable Adjustments Wheelchair Users

BLOG

Duty to Make Reasonable Adjustments for Wheelchair Users

On the buses – the duty to make reasonable adjustments; The case of First Group PLC v Paulley [2017

Read more
avoid-discriminatory-dress-codes

BLOG

Top Tips to Avoid Discriminatory Dress Codes

In December 2015, Nicola Thorp was sent home from her place of work for refusing to wear shoes with

Read more