Information » Employment & Training » Being Employed » Discrimination at work
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There are laws which mean you can-not be discriminated against in recruitment, promotion and how you are treated at work because of your:
- Sex
- Marital status
- Disability
- Ethnic origin
- Race
- Colour
- Religion or belief
- Sexual orientation
- Age
Discrimination can be either direct or indirect.
- Direct discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably at work because of their sex, marital status, race, colour, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation or disability. For example, if an Asian employee is not selected for promotion because they are black, this is direct discrimination.
- Indirect discrimination occurs where a particular employee cannot meet a requirement which is not justifiable in terms of the work and they are at a disadvantage as a result, for example, if the employer only gives training to full-time workers, this would indirectly discriminate against women, as most part-time workers are women.
- Harassment is also a form of discrimination. Harassment can include verbal abuse, suggestive remarks and unwanted physical contact. You may also be discriminated against if you are victimised because you have tried to take action about discrimination.
