LRD guides and handbook December 2010

Discrimination at work - a guide to the Equality Act 2010

Introduction (832 words)

Discrimination law is a complex area and one that union reps need to keep up to date with. This booklet explains how discrimination law works in ...
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1. Overview of discrimination law (5,554 words)

Despite the existence of discrimination law there is indisputable evidence of continuing discriminatory practices in the workplace. Individuals and ...
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2. Direct and indirect discrimination (5,462 words)

The law defines two types of discrimination — “direct” and “indirect”. Direct discrimination is where someone is ...
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3. Harassment (2,278 words)

Harassment at work is a complex and difficult issue that many union reps will have to deal with. The most common from of harassment is where a ...
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4. Victimisation (982 words)

Section 27 of the Equality Act 2010 (EA 10) makes it unlawful for an employer to victimise someone (of both existing and past staff) because they ...
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5. Proving a discrimination claim (2,497 words)

Once a worker has established that there has been less favourable treatment, it is up to the employer to prove there was no discrimination. This ...
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6. Employers’ defences to discrimination claims (679 words)

As is clear throughout this booklet there are circumstances where an employer can escape liability for discriminatory treatment. There are three ...
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7. Positive action (755 words)

In addition to it being unlawful to discriminate against workers on the basis of protected characteristics, it is also unlawful to positively ...
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8. Taking a tribunal claim (871 words)

A person who has been unlawfully discriminated against by their employer or ex-employer has the right to take a claim to an employment tribunal. In ...
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Further information (233 words)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for promoting equality and issuing codes of practice to the law. Its contact details ...
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