Failure to make reasonable adjustments
A failure to make reasonable adjustments refers to a breach of the employer’s duty to ensure that workers and applicants are not substantially disadvantaged in carrying out or applying for a job because of a disability when compared with people who do not have a disability. This is a statutory duty that most employers are […]
Mental health discrimination at work
By understanding your responsibilities as an employer in relation to the mental health of your workforce, you can avoid making costly mistakes by treating someone unfairly because of their condition. Below we examine the difficult issue of mental health discrimination at work, from how this can arise to practical tips on building a supportive culture […]
Gender reassignment discrimination
As an employer, it is unlawful to treat someone unfairly at work because they intend to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment. It is also unlawful to fail to take timely and appropriate action when others at work discriminate against, or bully or harass someone else, because they are transsexual. Below we look […]
Direct discrimination at work: HR guide
The COVID-19 ‘new normal’ working environment is one in which employers must take every possible step to safeguard the wellbeing of their staff, or risk being in breach of their statutory duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their workforce. In taking action to meet your health and safety duties, employers should also […]
Positive action in the workplace
Employers are under a legal duty not to discriminate against prospective or existing employees, either negatively or positively. However, that is not to say employers cannot take ‘positive action’ to assist certain groups of people that are potentially at a disadvantage or under-represented within their workforce. In this article we examine what amounts to taking […]
Age discrimination: employers’ guide
Age discrimination, also known as ageism, is one of the most common forms of unfair treatment at work. Discriminating against an employee because of age can have serious practical and legal implications for your business, even where the discriminatory practice or conduct is unintentional. The following guide looks at age discrimination in the workplace, and […]
Objective justification: discrimination defence?
When can an employer defend an act of either direct or indirect discrimination by reason of objective justification? As an employer, you are under a statutory duty not to discriminate against any member of staff, or even against a prospective job applicant. That said, there are some circumstances in which you may have a good […]
Types of disability discrimination
It is unlawful to discriminate against an individual in the workplace by reason of disability. Discrimination issues typically relate to flawed or inconsistent organisational policies, procedures or practices that have failed to accommodate people’s physical or mental impairments as required by law. Understanding and recognising different types of disability discrimination can help employers take a […]
