Sexual Orientation Discrimination

It's unlawful for your employer to discriminate against you by treating you differently from other employees because of your sexual orientation or your perceived sexual orientation.

Discrimination may take any of the following forms:

Direct discrimination - where your employer treats you less favourably on grounds of your sexual orientation e.g. by refusing to recruit a man because he is or is thought to be gay.

Indirect discrimination - where your employer applies a policy or working practice of a type that affects you adversely because of your sexual orientation e.g. if your employer has a rule that employees must have children this could discriminate against gay employees.

Victimisation - where your employer treats you unfairly because you have made or assisted in making a complaint about discrimination.

Harassment- where your employer behaves in an offensive manner (or allows others to do so) e.g. inappropriate workplace banter.

Your employer may be liable for the discriminatory acts of its employees even if they were done without the employer's knowledge

The legislation outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation applies to both employees and job applicants and protects both young and old from discrimination.

If your employer has discriminated against you we can help you to make an application to an employment tribunal for compensation and to help you ensure that the unacceptable behaviour is brought to an end.

A tribunal claim must be made within three months of the discriminatory act taking place so its important that if you have been the victim of discrimination that you contact us now