Discrimination means treating someone worse than other people for some reason. You have rights not to be treated worse than other people at work because of your:
* age
* disability
* pregnancy or maternity leave
* race
* religion or belief
* sex
* sexual orientation
* gender identity.
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Discrimination can be either direct or indirect. Direct discrimination occurs when someone is treated worse than other people for some reason. For example, if an Asian employee is not selected for promotion because of their race, this is direct race discrimination.
Indirect discrimination occurs where a particular employee cannot meet a requirement which is not justifiable in terms of the work and they are at a disadvantage as a result. For example, if the employer only gives training to full-time workers, this would indirectly discriminate against women, as most part-time workers are women.
Harassment is also a form of discrimination. Harassment can include verbal abuse, suggestive remarks and unwanted physical contact. You may also be discriminated against if you are victimised because you have tried to take action about discrimination.
You can find out more about your rights not to be discriminated against on our discrimination pages.
If you’ve been discriminated against at work you can make a claim to an employment tribunal. There’s a strict time limit for making a claim. This is usually three months minus one day from the date when the thing you are complaining about last happened. You should get advice about what to do before the time limit is up.
You can get help from an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on (New window) nearest CAB.
Discrimination on grounds of sexuality
It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against you on the grounds of your sexuality. This means that you cannot be discriminated against or harassed in the workplace because you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual. You are protected whatever your sexuality.
If you think you have been discriminated against because of your sexuality, you should get help from an experienced adviser as soon as possible. There is a strict three month time limit for taking legal action on these grounds.
Discrimination on grounds of religion and belief
It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against you on the grounds of your religion or belief. Religion or belief generally means any religion, religious belief or similar philosophical belief. It does not include purely political beliefs. You are also protected from discrimination whatever your employer’s religion or belief, and whether you are already working for them or are applying for a job.
If you think you have been discriminated against because of your religion or belief, you should get help from an experienced adviser as soon as possible. There is a strict three month time limit for taking legal action on these grounds.
Discrimination on grounds of age
Discrimination at work because of your age is against the law. You can make a claim for age discrimination to an employment tribunal if you are discriminated against for this reason.
However, your employer is allowed to make you retire at the normal retirement age. This is usually 65.
A form of unlawful discrimination occurs where a female worker is paid less than a male worker for doing the same or similar work.
If you think you are being paid less than a male worker for doing the same or similar work, you should get advice from an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau.