Discrimination at work

As an employer, you are responsible for eliminating discrimination from your workplace. There are Acts of Parliament dealing with the issue of sex, race, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation and age discrimination. These statutes give your employees the right to start proceedings in the Employment Tribunal against you as their employer if they feel that they have been discriminated against or harassed.

Some of these rights come into existence as soon as an employer advertises a position and all employers need to be aware of their responsibilities.

Substantial awards have been made by the Employment Tribunal in cases of discrimination.

How to avoid problems

• develop written discrimination policy documents
• make sure that all of your workplace procedures support your discrimination policy
• put in place appropriate internal procedures for dealing with any situation which might arise
• make sure all of your staff are aware of the policy
• deal with any complaints quickly and thoroughly, making sure they are well documented

Discrimination policies must be real - claiming to have a discrimination policy means nothing if the policy is not enforced. (See more information)

For assistance in drawing up an anti-discrimination policy, email Richard Stephens to make an appointment or call 0208 370 2875.