Discrimination law is designed to ensure equality in all aspects of work and to protect employees' dignity. It covers all areas of employment including recruitment, contracts, conduct, social events at work, opportunities, pay, dismissal and any work-related matters arising after employment has ended, such as giving references. An employer can also be held responsible for the discriminatory actions of its employees.

The law states an employer must not discriminate against employees on the basis of:-

• Sex;
• Gender reassignment;
• Being married or in a civil partnership;
• Being pregnant or on maternity leave;
• Race (including ethnic or national origin, nationality and colour);
• Disability;
• Sexual orientation;
• Religion or belief; or
• Age.

WBW can advise your business on how to avoid and defend discrimination claims. A discrimination claim can be especially damaging to a business in terms of bad publicity, damage to morale and the unlimited compensation that could be awarded. It is therefore better to avoid a claim than to manage a crisis after a claim has been made.

WBW provides businesses with advice, guidance and training on how to avoid claims by having the right policies in place, promoting awareness to staff and resolving grievances in the early stages.

We can review your existing equal opportunities policy to ensure it promotes best practice and complies with the Equality Act 2010 and the draft Equality and Human Rights Commission Employment Statutory Code of Practice.