Discrimination claims

Our specialist employment lawyers, based in our offices in London, Surrey and Kent, advise and represent employees who have been subjected to unfair treatment, harassment, or victimisation.

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Race Discrimination

What is Race Discrimination?

The Equality Act 2010 protects employees from unfair treatment based on race, including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin. Race discrimination can manifest in various ways, including:

  • Direct Discrimination: Being treated less favourably because of your race (for example being overlooked for promotion opportunities or offered lower pay compared to colleagues).
  • Indirect Discrimination: Workplace policies seemingly neutral but disproportionately disadvantage a particular race (e.g., requiring English language fluency when not essential for the job role).
  • Racial Harassment: Unwanted conduct related to race that creates a hostile or intimidating environment (e.g., racial slurs, jokes, or offensive stereotypes).
  • Victimisation: Experiencing negative treatment after complaining about racial discrimination or supporting a colleague’s claim.

Our Approach to Race Discrimination Claims

We understand the sensitive nature of race discrimination cases and provide tailored support throughout the process:

  • Understanding Your Rights: Our initial consultation clarifies the legal landscape and explores potential avenues for claiming compensation.
  • Evidence Gathering and Case Building: We meticulously collect evidence, including witness statements, emails, and company policies, to build a strong case for you.
  • Employment Tribunal Representation: If needed, our experienced litigators will fight for a fair outcome in the Employment Tribunal.
  • Negotiation and tactics: We’ll use our experience to pressure the employer to consider an out of court settlement that reflects your losses and emotional distress.

Sex discrimination

Our specialist employment lawyers, based in our offices in London, Surrey and Kent, advise and represent employees who have been subjected to unfair treatment, harassment, or victimisation based on sex, gender, or pregnancy status.

We will carefully assess your situation and provide clear guidance on your options under the law, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build the strongest possible case. If necessary, we will  represent you in claims in the Employment Tribunal whilst also negotiating skillfully with employers where possible to achieve the right financial settlement  for you.

What is sex discrimination?

The Equality Act 2010, provides strong protections against any form of discrimination based on sex or gender. This article aims to shed light on what constitutes sex discrimination, types of claims, and the legal avenues available to challenge such behaviour.

Sex discrimination occurs when an employee or worker faces unfair treatment due to their sex. This can apply to both men and women, and includes unfavourable treatment based on pregnancy, maternity, and gender reassignment.

Types of Sex Discrimination

  • Direct Discrimination: An employee is directly treated worse than others because of their sex (e.g., denying promotion opportunities to women, or paying men more for the same work).
  • Indirect Discrimination: Workplace policies or practices, while seemingly neutral, create a disadvantage for a particular sex (e.g., requiring full-time work when it disproportionately impacts women with childcare responsibilities).
  • Harassment: Includes unwanted conduct related to sex that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or degrading environment.
  • Victimisation: An employee suffers mistreatment because they have complained about sex discrimination or assisted a colleague with a discrimination claim.

Claims usually need to be made within three months (less one day) from the discriminatory incident. Early legal advice is crucial to avoid missing deadlines. Claims for sex discrimination often also include claims for unfair dismissal, breach of contract, constructive dismissal (forced resignation), or discrimination specific claims.

Proving Sex Discrimination

The burden of proof initially falls on the employee to show a reasonable basis for suspecting discrimination. If the suspicion is established, the burden shifts to the employer to provide a non-discriminatory reason for their actions.

Remedies in Sex Discrimination Cases

If successful, the Employment Tribunal can order:

  • Compensation: This can be financial, covering lost earnings, or damages for hurt feelings and distress. There is no cap on the compensation amount for discrimination cases.
  • Recommendation: The tribunal can recommend changes to the employer’s practices to prevent future discrimination.
  • Declaration: A formal statement by the Tribunal that the employer has discriminated against the employee.

Why Wellers?

We aim to set a new standard and change perceptions of what it means to be a responsible law firm and lead the way in client-focused, full-service legal guidance for you and your employment journey.


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It can be daunting needing to ask for legal advice. Our approachable experts are here to make the legal process simple for you.

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The team you will work with

Nina Francis
Litigation - Employment London

Nina Francis

Solicitor
Litigation - Employment London

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London

020 7481 2422

Sevenoaks

01732 457 575

Bromley

020 8464 4242

Surrey

01483 284567

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We are here for your legal needs in life and in business. Please get in touch with one of our experienced solicitors, who are here to help you.

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