Discrimination

Everyone deserves to feel respected and treated fairly at work. But many young women still experience discrimination. This guide explains what discrimination is, what it can look like and what you can do if it happens to you. 

Discrimination is when someone is treated unfairly at work because of who they are. 

The law protects people from discrimination based on certain characteristics. 

These are called protected characteristics: 

  • age 
  • disability 
  • gender reassignment 
  • marriage or civil partnership 
  • pregnancy and maternity 
  • race 
  • religion or belief 
  • sex 
  • sexual orientation 

There are four main types. 

Direct discrimination

Someone treats you worse because of a protected characteristic. 

Example:
A manager refuses to promote a woman because she might have children. 

Indirect discrimination

A workplace rule disadvantages certain people. 

Example:
A workplace requires everyone to travel at short notice, which may disadvantage workers with caring responsibilities. 

Harassment

Unwanted behaviour related to a protected characteristic that makes you feel uncomfortable, offended or intimidated. 

Example:
Colleagues making sexist jokes. 

Victimisation

Being treated badly because you complained about discrimination. 

 

Discrimination isn’t always obvious. 

It might look like: 

  • being excluded from career opportunities 
  • being paid less than others doing the same job 
  • offensive jokes or comments from colleagues or customers 
  • rules that affect you more than others 
  • being punished for mistakes others aren’t punished for 

Example situations

A manager criticises a young Black woman’s natural hair but not other employees’ appearance. 

Women are paid less than men doing the same job. 

A manager refuses to promote someone because she might start a family. 

The Equality Act 2010 protects:

  • employees
  • workers
  • contractors
  • job applicants
  • former employees (for example references)

Employers must:

  • prevent discrimination at work
  • treat employees fairly
  • take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment
  • protect staff from harassment, including by customers, clients and other third parties

If an employer doesn’t take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment by a customer or client, they can be held responsible. One incident can be enough.

Anyone who reports sexual harassment at work is protected by whistleblowing law. They can’t be treated worse for speaking up, including being dismissed.

This applies in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has different laws.

If discrimination happens, it’s normal to feel upset, angry or confused. It is not your fault. 

You have several options. 

Step 1 — Raise the issue informally

You may feel comfortable talking to your manager or HR. 

Step 2 — Make a formal complaint

You can use your workplace grievance process. 

Step 3 — Get advice

You can contact: 

Step 4 — Consider a tribunal claim

An employment tribunal can decide legal disputes about employment rights. 

Important:
You have 6 months minus 1 day from the discrimination to make a claim. 

You don’t have to deal with this alone. 

You can: 

Learn more about your rights at work