The Equality Act 2010 is a very comprehensive piece of UK legislation that prevents employers from engaging in discriminatory practices in the workplace.  Any claim of discrimination by employers that is brought before Employment Tribunals is taken very seriously, and can result in heavy financial penalties for employers found guilty of being discriminatory.  As a result employers must work to remove any discriminatory practices from their workplace, and ensure that their employees are protected from such conduct.  

Call us on 0131 322 1032 or complete our online enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as we can.

Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination in the Workplace

Suffering discrimination in the workplace can be devastating for your career and your personal life, but we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. 

Employment Law Edinburgh is powered by Thompsons Solicitors, and our lawyers have successfully represented a large number of employees in discrimination cases. We will fight for you and listen to your concerns and difficulties. Being discriminated against in the workplace may have had a significant impact on both your financial situation and your personal life, so we will seek to resolve this problematic time efficiently and effectively. 

Call us on 0131 322 1032 or complete our online enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as we can.

Expert Discrimination in the Workplace Lawyers in Edinburgh

Employers are prevented from engaging in discriminatory practices by The Equality Act 2010. Claims brought before an Employment Tribunal are taken seriously, and employers must take steps to ensure that any discriminatory practices in their place of work are eliminated. It is the responsibility of your employer to protect you from discrimination in the workplace. Where they fail in this obligation, you may be able to bring a claim for compensation. 

Employment Law Edinburgh's solicitors have vast experience in dealing with discrimination cases, and fully understand how to advise employees comprehensively in dealing with discrimination in the workplace. Our expert team of Edinburgh employment lawyers routinely advise on the following;

Our solicitors pride themselves on fighting for the rights of employees and using our expert insight and experience to help employees resolve issues concerning discrimination in the workplace.

What amounts to discrimination in the workplace?

Workers and employees have the right to certain fair treatment in the workplace under the law. Employees and workers must not face discrimination on the grounds of their race, gender, disability, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs. The specifics of the law concerning discrimination in the workplace is set out in the Equality Act 2010. 

Employers must design their practices and policies to be free from of any kind of discrimination. This includes policing the behaviour of employees engaging in discriminatory practices, bullying or harassment. 

What is direct discrimination in the workplace? 

Direct discrimination describes the situation where you are treated less favourably than others in the workplace on the grounds of one of the nine protected characteristics. It does not matter if the discrimination is deliberate. If you are treated less favourably because of who you are, and the reason concerns a protected charecteristic, this could amount to direct discrimination. 

What are the protected characteristics? 

In UK law, there are characteristics which afford protection in law from discrimination. The characteristics are outlined in the Equality Act 2010 as: 

  • age
  • disability
  • gender reassignment
  • marriage or civil partnership 
  • pregnancy and maternity
  • race
  • religion or belief
  • sex
  • sexual orientation

If you have suffered discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of of one of these protected characteristics, you could bring a claim for discrimination against your employer. 

What is indirect discrimination in the workplace? 

Indirect discrimination is where a workplace practice, rule or policy is applied equally to everyone, but affects those with a protected characteristic less favourably than everyone else. A good example is where an employment contract requires travel at short notice, this could disproportionately affect those with young children particularly women. 

What is discrimination by association in the workplace? 

Discrimination by association takes place where a person is treated differently on the grounds of another person's protected characteristic. A good example of this is where an employee is overlooked for a position because they have a child with a disability with complicated care arrangements. This may amount to discrimination as the employee is associated with the person who has a protected characteristic. Discrimination by association does not apply to certain charecteristics, includingmarriage and civil partnership, and maternity and pregnancy. 

Workplace Harassment and Discrimination

Workplaces can be challenging environments. However, behaviour in the workplace must remain within acceptable parameters. If you are being demeaned, humiliated or belittled at work, you may be a victim of workplace harassment. Employment Law Edinburgh can help. Harassment is typically unwanted conduct or attention on the grounds that include:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Colour
  • Ethnic or national origin
  • Race
  • Religious belief or some other philosophical belief, sex and sexuality

Bullying and Discrimination

Bullying in the workplace is unacceptable. However, the legal position can be more complicated. Employees and workers are protected by law from bullying, but it can be challenging to prove. You should seek specialist legal advice. 

Bullying in the workplace can be described as behaviour which is offensive, intimidating, malicious and insulting. The behaviour may be designed to undermine and humiliate the victim. 

Employment Law Edinburgh the employment department of Thompsons Solicitors, have a local Edinburgh-based office with years of experience helping workers in Edinburgh who have been suffered discrimination, bullying or harassment in the workplace. You will speak to an expert advisor when you call, so let us help you get the support and compensation you are entitled to. 

Contact our Expert Employment Law Solicitors in Edinburgh Today

The Employment team at Employment Law Edinburgh are experts in Employment law. We can assist you with any legal issues at work, which may be causing you concern. Our team offer a free initial consultation and may even be able to work with you on a no-win, no-fee basis - a unique offering in employment cases. 

Employment law claims are subject to strict time limits, so it is crucial that if you wish to bring a claim or to discuss your specific circumstances with an experienced solicitor, that you act quickly. 

Our solicitors here at Employment Law Edinburgh are understanding and will be able to answer your questions and queries regarding employment and discrimination law in the UK. We can help you bring a close to your employment difficulties and help you allowing you to move on in your working life. 

If you believe you have been discriminated against at work, get in touch with us today. We will help guide you through the process of getting the justice you deserve. Our team at Employment Law Edinburgh work in partnership with employees in dealing with claims of discrimination, to ensure that they are well aware of their position in law. We offer a free initial consultation to determine whether you might have a claim, and can often work with client’s on a no win, no fee basis.

Contact us on 0131 322 1032 or complete our online enquiry form and we will get back to you without delay. 

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