Employment Discrimination Lawyers

Discrimination at work can have a profound effect on your wellbeing, your livelihood, and your confidence. Whether it’s triggered by your age, gender, race, disability, or another ‘protected characteristic’, being treated unfairly in your place of work is both distressing and unlawful.

This page briefly explores the key issues surrounding employment discrimination and the rights you have as an employee or worker under UK law.

In particular, it outlines how Monaco Solicitors’ experienced workplace discrimination lawyers can help you challenge your discriminatory unfair treatment at work and potentially achieve compensation and a fair financial settlement for you.

See also our Guide on Discrimination at Work for further, practical guidance and information about workplace discrimination.

Monaco Solicitors – Experienced employment discrimination lawyers for employees

At Monaco Solicitors, we specialise exclusively in employment law and only represent employees and workers. Our employment discrimination lawyers are well-versed in helping individuals like you to stand up against discrimination at work. Whether you need advice, support, or representation, we can assist with everything from internal grievances to tribunal claims.

We do not act for employers, so you can rest assured that our loyalty lies solely with workers seeking justice.

 

Common types of employment discrimination

Monaco Solicitors handles all kinds of employment discrimination, although the types we encounter most commonly are:

Age discrimination

Age discrimination arises when you are treated unfairly because of your age. This can affect both younger and older employees. Common examples include assumptions about your abilities based on your age, or being overlooked for promotions in favour of someone younger or older.

Gender discrimination

Gender discrimination often involves unequal treatment between men and women. It may present itself in pay gaps, missed promotions, or unfair treatment during pregnancy or maternity leave.

Race and ethnicity discrimination

Race discrimination happens when someone is treated less favourably due to their race, colour, nationality, or ethnic origin. It might manifest as racial slurs, unfair performance reviews, or being excluded from company activities.

Disability discrimination

If you have a disability, you are entitled to reasonable adjustments in the workplace. Disability discrimination may occur when employers fail to make those adjustments, or if they treat you unfairly because of your condition.

Your rights under the Equality Act

The Equality Act 2010 is the key legislation that protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace. The Act outlines nine protected characteristics:

• Age – How old you are, whether young, middle-aged, or older.
• Disability – Having a physical or mental condition that has a substantial and long-term impact on your ability to do normal daily activities.
• Gender reassignment – Applies if you are undergoing, have gone through, or intend to go through a process to change your gender.
• Marriage and civil partnership – Relates to people who are married on in a legally-recognised same-sex or opposite sex partnership.
• Pregnancy and maternity – Being pregnant, expecting a baby, or having recently given birth, including rights during maternity leave.
• Race – Including your colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins.
• Religion or belief – Refers to any religion or similar philosophical belief, as well as lack of religion or belief.
• Sex – Whether you are male or female.
• Sexual orientation – Whether you are sexually attracted to people of the same sex, the opposite sex, or both.

If you’ve experienced unfair treatment at work related to any of the above, you may have grounds for an equality act claim.

 

Steps to take if you face workplace discrimination

If you believe you’re experiencing discrimination at work, it’s important to act promptly and thoughtfully. Here are the key four steps we would usually recommend:

1] Keep records

Make detailed notes of the discriminatory behaviour, including dates, times, locations, and names of witnesses. This helps build a clear and consistent picture of what happened, which can be vital evidence if you need to report it or take legal action.

2] Review company policies

Most employers have policies related to workplace discrimination. Familiarise yourself with these because understanding your company’s procedures and commitments will help you know what to expect and how to proceed.

3] Raise a grievance

Submit a formal grievance through your company’s internal processes. This is the official way to notify your employer about the issue and request that it be investigated and resolved.

4]  Seek legal advice

Speak to an experienced workplace discrimination lawyer like those at Monaco Solicitors. A specialist legal expert can assess your situation, explain your legal rights, options, and next steps and also help protect your interests throughout the process.

How we help with workplace discrimination claims

Our role is to support and empower you. Monaco Solicitors’ employment discrimination lawyers can assist you with:

• Reviewing your case to determine if you have a valid discrimination claim.
• Advising on the strength of your case and the possible outcomes.
• Helping you raise a formal grievance at work.
• Negotiating a settlement with your employer.
• Helping you with an employment tribunal claim if necessary.

Our aim is to achieve the best possible outcome for you, whether that means financial compensation, reinstatement, or simply making your voice heard.

 

Why choose our workplace discrimination lawyers?

There are many reasons why we think you should choose Monaco Solicitors’ workplace discrimination lawyers. Perhaps the following are amongst the most important for a discrimination at work case:

Specialist workplace discrimination experience

We are a team of employment law experts who only act for employees and regularly handle workplace discrimination claims. This means we have an in-depth understanding of how discrimination happens in real workplaces and how to challenge it legally.

Proven track record of success with discrimination claims

We have helped thousands of workers successfully settle their discrimination cases, with settlement payments to reflect the seriousness of the act. This experience means we know what kind of evidence is needed and how to present a strong case to achieve a fair outcome.

Supportive approach

We understand how distressing discrimination can be and treat each case with care, sensitivity and respect. Our aim is to make the legal process as clear and as manageable as possible while standing firmly on your side.

National reach

Although our offices are in London, we work with clients across the UK by phone, email, and video. So no matter where you live or work in the country, you can still access our legal support without needing to travel.

 

Frequently asked questions about employment discrimination

Here are some FAQs about employment discrimination with short answers. We hope you find them helpful.

Q: What constitutes employment discrimination under the law?

A: Employment discrimination – or discrimination at work – occurs when an employee is treated unfairly at work due to a protected characteristic such as age, race, gender, disability, or religion. This treatment must result in disadvantage or harm to the person being discriminated against.

Q: Which protected characteristics are covered by the Equality Act 2010?

A: The Equality Act 2010 protects 9 characteristics which are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Q: How can I tell if I’ve been a victim of employment discrimination?

A: Signs include being treated differently than others in similar roles, repeated exclusion or denial of opportunities, or direct comments related to a protected characteristic.

Q: What evidence do I need to prove an employment discrimination claim?

A: You should gather emails, notes, witness statements, formal evaluations, or any communications that demonstrate unfair treatment related to a protected characteristic.

Q: What is the process for making an employment discrimination claim?

A: You typically start with an internal grievance, then seek legal advice and if appropriate, contact Acas for early conciliation. If you don’t settle out of court, your last resort may be to submit a discrimination claim to an employment tribunal.

Q: What is the time limit for making an employment discrimination claim?

A: Claims must usually be made within three months less one day from the date of the last discriminatory act. Time limits are strictly enforced.

Q: Can I be fired for reporting employment discrimination? (Retaliation)

A: No, it is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against you for reporting discrimination. If this happens, you may have grounds for additional claims such as unfair dismissal.

Q: What is the difference between direct and indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010?

A: Direct discrimination is when you’re treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic. Indirect discrimination is when a policy or practice disadvantages a group you belong to, even if the discrimination is unintentional.

 

Get help with your case

If you’ve suffered discriminatory harassment at work or any other form of workplace discrimination, our team of expert employment law solicitors is here to help.

Get in touch to discuss your situation confidentially and without obligation using any one of the following:

• Our online contact form
• Email: communications@monacosolicitors.co.uk
• Phone: 020 7717 5259