Employment law protects you from being discriminated against at work on the grounds of sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, disability and the membership or non-membership of a trade union.

See the legislation section for more detail.

The legislation aims to achieve equality in the workplace by eliminating less favourable treatment on these grounds. Where individuals or groups do find themselves being treated unfairly at work, there are processes which they can go through to resolve the problem or seek compensation.

To find out more about recognising discrimination, bullying and harassment then take a look at:
Recognising Discrimination

If you feel that you are being treated unfairly at work, or singled out, then get in touch with your trade union, even if you are not sure whether you have been discriminated against or not.

If you are a member of a trade union then visit one of your reps for more information. If you do not have an active branch or do not know who your reps are then take a look on your union’s website to find out who you can contact. Union officers have lots of experience and knowledge at dealing with discrimination, and other unfair treatment at work.

Your employer cannot treat you unfairly for being a union member, talking to your union reps, or being active in a union. They are also not allowed to treat you unfairly for making a complaint or for supporting somebody else who has made a complaint.

The more people who are union members in your organisation, then the stronger the union will be. This means that they will be able to negotiate and bargain for better conditions at work for you and everybody else, and prevent your employer from treating people badly at work.