Discrimination can be based on any of the following grounds;
Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Are you being treated differently or less favourably than other staff members because of any of the above? Has your employer’s behaviour towards you changed since you have informed him or her that you are pregnant?
The law prohibits this treatment. An employer cannot treat you less favourably than other employees because of one of the “protected characteristics” listed above.
Discrimination should not be permitted within the workplace. Your employer should have a clear Equal Opportunities policy making it clear that such conduct is prohibited. Your employer can also be liable for discrimination carried out by an employee. This is called vicarious liability.
Enquire about Your Claim
You do not even need to be employed to make a complaint of discrimination to the employment tribunal, if you apply for a job and you are told that you are too old, without a very good reason, you could make a claim. The same goes for pregnant women, a disabled person or any of the other protected characteristics. If you are the best person for a job you should get it and the interviewer’s prejudices should not affect the decision.
If you believe that there is a case of discrimination happening at your work you should complain to your employer, if that doesn’t help give the employment law experts at Premier Legal a call on: 0115 856 1625 and see if they can help you.
Discrimination in the workplace is a major issue and compensation, if you win, at an employment tribunal is unlimited. Perhaps more importantly there is no qualifying period of employment, if discrimination happens on day one, or as described above even at an interview, you will have jurisdiction to take your claim to the employment tribunal.
