What should you do if you feel you are being discriminated in the workplace?
Sex discrimination can occur at any stage of employment, including recruitment, promotion, training, terms and conditions of employment and dismissal. Read on to learn more.
What is Sex Discrimination?
Sex discrimination occurs when someone is treated unlawfully because of their sex. It can take several forms, which includes but is not limited to:
Direct discrimination occurs where a person is treated less favourably because of their sex. For example, an employer may choose a male candidate for promotion over a female colleague because they consider men to be better suited to senior positions.
Indirect discrimination can occur where an employer applies the same workplace rule or requirement to everyone, but it places people of one sex at a particular disadvantage.
Sex discrimination does not necessarily have to involve an employer openly stating that a decision was based on someone’s sex. The circumstances surrounding a decision, including how other employees have been treated, can be important when establishing whether discrimination has occurred.
Where Can Sex Discrimination Occur?
Sex discrimination can arise in many aspects of working life, including:
- recruitment and selection;
- promotion and career progression;
- training opportunities;
- working conditions;
- pay and benefits;
- disciplinary decisions; and
- dismissal.
It can also occur through inappropriate comments, conduct or workplace behaviour where this amounts to harassment related to sex.
What Should You Do If You Are Suffering Discrimination?
An employee who believes they have experienced sex (or any type of protected characteristic) discrimination should consider raising the issue with their employer, either informally or through the employer’s grievance procedure.
It is also important to keep records of relevant incidents and retain emails, messages or other documents that may support the complaint.
When Should You Get Legal Advice?
Raising a grievance can feel daunting, particularly when the issue involves your manager or employer. You do not have to deal with a serious workplace dispute on your own.
Lincs Law provide bespoke Employment Law advice. We are happy to have an initial conversation with you to learn of your Employment Law concerns and, thereafter, we offer an initial Fixed Fee Consultation; https://lincslaw.co.uk/fees/employees/
If you would like to Contact Us, please email us at ContactUs@lincslaw.com or telephone 01522 440512.
Lucy Stones
Employment Law Solicitor
Lincs Law
Tags: discriminatory acts formal grievance keep a record Sex Discrimination sex discrimination in the workplace