If you have been treated unfairly or differently because of certain legally protected characteristics (in the Equality Act 2010) that you have (such as a disability) then you potentially have a claim against your employer at the Employment Tribunal.
Discrimination in the workplace cases can invoke technical legal submissions and involve sensitive information, therefore it is important to seek expert and confidential legal advice as soon as possible to avoid any claim to the Employment Tribunal (ET) being potentially time-barred.
City of London Specialist Workplace Discrimination Lawyers
We are based in the legal heart of London in Middle Temple (one of the four prestigious barristers’ Inns of Court) and provide the strongest employment legal advice with our breadth of complementary practice areas offering our clients a complete and bespoke service.
Some law firms only specialise in employment law, however, individuals and businesses instruct us because not only will our knowledgeable Employment team lead your case and protect your rights, our Insolvency, Litigation, Immigration and Private Prosecution teams can be deployed and tailored advice provided for your particular issue(s).
Our complete UK employment law service includes: general business employment advice, tailored advice for senior executives and business owners, employment contract negotiation, advising on pay disputes, managing discrimination claims to complex high value employment litigation, mediation and compromise agreements.
What is workplace discrimination?
It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a worker based on their protected characteristics. All workers in the UK have statutory protection in the Equality Act 2010 against unlawful direct discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of their protected characteristics including: age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation and pregnancy (amongst others).
Examples of employment discrimination
The Equality Act 2010 (sections 4 to 12) states that a worker cannot be treated differently or unfairly on the basis of a “protected characteristic”.
- Age discrimination;
- Disability discrimination;
- Gender reassignment discrimination;
- Marriage or civil partnership discrimination;
- Race discrimination;
- Religion or belief discrimination;
- Discrimination on the grounds of sex; and
- Sexual discrimination.
Are there time limits in bringing a discrimination claim against your employer?
Yes. A workplace discrimination claim must ordinarily be brought in the Employment Tribunal (ET) before the “end of the three months starting with the date the act to which the complaint relates”. All deadlines should be adhered to as a matter of priority, therefore it is essential to seek legal advice as soon as the discrimination takes place. However, in certain circumstances, the ET have the power to extend time if just and equitable or time can be extended under the statutory Acas early conciliation process.
Remedies for workplace discrimination
If a worker is successful in a discrimination claim, the Employment Tribunal may make the following orders:
- A recommendation as to what steps the employer must take to reduce the adverse effect of discrimination on the employee.
- A declaration of the rights of the employee.
- Compensation is calculated so as to put the aggrieved party in the position that they would have been in had the unlawful discrimination not taken place. Compensation can be awarded for financial loss (which can include loss of pension, benefits and lost earnings) and non-financial losses (including personal injury, aggravated damages and injury to one’s feelings). There is no upper limit on the amount of compensation that can be awarded.
Book an Initial Consultation with a UK Employment Lawyer
If you are an employer, employee, senior executive, or HR professional and require advice on any aspect of UK Employment law, get in touch so our employment team can assess the legal merit of your case and provide you or your business with bespoke UK employment legal advice.
Please note that your legal rights may be subject to limitation and thereby irreversibly time-barred if you fail to take legal action or defend a claim in time, in particular for Employment Tribunal and Court proceedings. You are strongly advised to seek legal advice prior to taking any steps in the employment tribunal or court procedural process. Do not delay in seeking legal advice.
To contact a leading London Employment Lawyer call 02071830529 or email us at [email protected]