Introduction to discrimination (2024)

Discrimination means treating some people differently from others. It isn't always unlawful - after all, people are paid different wages depending on their status and skills. However, there are certain reasons for which your employer can't discriminate against you by law.

What discrimination is

Discrimination happens when an employer treats one employee less favourably than others. It could mean a female employee being paid less than a male colleague for doing the same job, or an employee from a minority ethnic community being refused the training opportunities offered to other colleagues.

There are specific laws against some types of discrimination (called 'unlawful discrimination'). If your employer treats you less favourably for an unlawful reason, you may be able to take action. If your employer treats you unfairly for any other reason, this is not unlawful discrimination.

There are laws against discrimination on the basis of your:

There are also laws which forbid workers from being dismissed or treated less favourably than other workers because they do:

Types of discrimination

Legislation protects employees from discrimination of different types.

Direct discrimination

Direct discrimination happens when an employer treats an employee less favourably than someone else because of one of the above reasons. For example, it would be direct discrimination if a driving job was only open to male applicants.

There are limited circ*mstances in which an employer might be able to make a case for a genuine occupational requirement for the job. For example, a Roman Catholic school may be able to restrict applications for a scripture teacher to baptised Catholics only.

Indirect discrimination

Indirect discrimination is when a working condition or rule disadvantages one group of people more than another. For example, saying that applicants for a job must be clean shaven puts members of some religious groups at a disadvantage.

Indirect discrimination is unlawful, whetherit is done on purpose or not. It is only allowed if it is necessary for the way the business works, and there is no other way of achieving it. For example, the condition that applicants must be clean shaven might be justified if the job involved handling food and it could be shown that having a beard or moustache was genuine hygiene risk.

Harassment

You have the right not to be harassed or made fun of at work or in a work-related setting (for example, an office party).

Victimisation

Victimisation means treating somebody less favourably than others because they tried to make, or made, a complaint about discrimination. For example, it could be preventing you from going on training courses, taking unfair disciplinary action against you, or excluding you from company social events.

Being treated unfairly for other reasons

If you are treated unfairly, but it is not for one of the reasons listed above, it may be that you are being bullied. Bullying should never be acceptable in or outside of the workplace.

Bullying in the workplace

If you are trying to take up your statutory rights and your employer treats you unfairly for this, you may be able to take legal action. For example, your employer is not entitled to mistreat you because you've asked to be paid the National Minimum or Living Wage.

Other rights where you are protected from being mistreated because you have asked for them in good faith include:

rights to a written statement of employment particulars
protection from unlawful deductions from wages
rights to paid holiday
limits on your working hours
the right to join a trade union
How to resolve a problem at work

Where you can get help about discrimination

The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) and Advice NI offerfree, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues.

If you are a member of a trade union, you can get help, advice and support from them.

Introduction to trade unions