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Discrimination Laws & Human Rights

Whether you're an employer or employee, knowing your legal rights when it comes to the raft of discrimination legislation in the UK will ensure you treat people fairly and are treated fairly yourself.

Age Discrimination

Age discrimination can apply to young people as well as the older generation.

Many people feel that their age plays a significant factor when they apply for a job or attend an interview. Age discrimination also covers retirement age, training courses and redundancy.

If you feel that you've been the victim of age discrimination when applying for a job or in your current role, speaking to one of the solicitors in our UK network will put you on the right track to deciding if you have a case and the best way to pursue it.

Disability Discrimination & Law

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 is in place to protect disabled people from being discriminated against and to promote their everyday civil rights including things like having suitable access to banks, shops and public buildings.

Education, public transport and employment are other key areas of disability discrimination law and are designed to ensure that disabled people receive a fair deal and are treated equally.

Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination in the UK is governed by the 1976 Race Relations Act which makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against you on the following grounds;

Nationality
Colour
Ethnic or national origin

Race discrimination in the workplace applies to employing staff, training, internal promotions and harassment.

If you are in any doubt about the conditions of your employment contract and how these comply with the Race Relations Act, you should seek professional legal advice from a solicitor.

Religious Discrimination

In 2003, the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations came into force which makes the following unlawful;

Religious abuse and name calling
Not employing or promoting someone based on their religious beliefs
Employment agencies refusing to register you as a candidate based on religion

The laws concerning religious discrimination and racial discrimination often overlap because these two areas are closely linked in many cases.

The first step in raising a complaint about religious discrimination would normally be an employment tribunal but in certain cases they can end up in court.

Sexual & Gender Discrimination

There are two main acts in the UK which cover sexual & gender discrimination; these are The Equal Pay Act 1970 and the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act.

Under the terms of these acts it's unlawful for an employer to pay a man and woman differing salaries if their jobs are;

The same or similar
Involve work of equal value
Rated as equivalent in an employer's job evaluation

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 prohibits discrimination on the following grounds;

Marital status
Gender
Gender reassignment or sex change

Mental Health and Incapacity Law

The Mental Health Act 2007 saw a number of changes introduced to the previous mental health legislation.

One of the main areas it deals with is the decision making on behalf of people who suffering from mental incapacity. For example who should be responsible for making financial, welfare and healthcare decisions on a long term basis?

The mental health laws in Scotland aren't exactly the same as those in England & Wales so it pays to talk to a local solicitor when you need advice on mental health laws.

Civil Liberties and Human Rights

As well as the European Convention on Human Rights, The Human Rights Act 1998 quotes a number of basic rights that people in the UK are entitled to expect.

The following list is a selection of these basic human rights;

The right to life
The right to liberty
The right to a fair trial
The right to an education
Freedom of expression

The history of civil liberties and human rights laws in the UK can be traced all the way back to the Magna Carta in 1215.

If you think your human right or civil liberties have been breached in any way then it's important to seek professional legal advice in the first instance to determine whether you have a valid complaint.

Search our online network of UK solicitors now.