Suffering sexual orientation discrimination is never nice, but if it does happen to you then you are protected by the Equality Act 2010 as well as various other pieces of UK legislation prohibiting discriminating against someone because of their sexual orientation.
This means that if you are the victim of sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace or any part of the employment process (including recruitment, promotion and dismissal), you may be able to take a discrimination claim to an employment tribunal.
The law also protects people who are perceived to have a particular sexual orientation. For example, if your boss thinks you are homosexual and subsequently discriminates against you despite the fact you’re heterosexual, you would still have a case.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination – examples
There are various ways in which an employer could discriminate against you because of your sexual orientation:
- Treating you unfavourably compared to others because of your sexual orientation.
- Putting working practices into place that mean you are at a disadvantage when compared with other colleagues or job applicants due to your sexual orientation.
- Harassing you because of your sexual orientation or victimising you if you subsequently make a sexual orientation discrimination claim against the employer.
- Discriminating against you because of the sexual orientation of someone close to you, such as a child.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination – employment tribunal application
There is no excuse for discriminating against someone because of their sexual orientation, so if you believe that you have suffered discrimination that contravenes the Equality Act 2010, you should seek legal advice. If your case is considered to be good then you may well be able to make an employment tribunal claim against your employer.
At the tribunal, you will both have the chance to make your case before a decision is made. If you are successful in your case then you may well be awarded compensation to take account of injury to your feelings and any loss of earnings you’ve suffered because of the discrimination.
It can help your case at an employment tribunal if you have written evidence or accounts of the discrimination you have experienced. It is also expected that you try to resolve the situation before proceeding to a tribunal, such as by following internal processes or contacting your union representative if you have one. Your employment solicitor will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your specific case of sexual orientation discrimination.
Victim of Sexual Orientation Discrimination?
If you think you might have been the victim of sexual orientation discrimination at work and you are considering making is an Employment Tribunal Compensation Claim, get in touch with our specialist employment lawyers, without delay – or you risk losing your right to claim compensation. Remember – you have only only have 3 months from any incident at work in which workplace to start your claim.
Wherever you live in England and Wales , contact our specialist employment tribunal solicitors today – we can take your instructions by telephone, e-mail or Skype .
- For FREE initial phone advice call our team 0800 1404544 or
- Complete the contact form below