Discrimination, Harassment & Bullying (UK)
Types of employment
An employer’s duty to protect you from discrimination, bullying and harassment vary depending on if you are an employee, worker or self-employed [link to contracts pay and hours page]. Please contact our Employment Advice Line to find out how different laws apply to you.
Discrimination
The Equality Act 2010 protects you from discrimination at work. There are 9 “protected characteristics”, and it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of them.
They are:
- Age
- Disability
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Religion or belief
- Gender reassignment
- Being married or in a civil partnership
- Being pregnant or on maternity leave
- Race including skin colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
There are four types of discrimination:
Direct discrimination
Treating someone with a protected characteristic less favourably than others.
Harassment
Unwanted behaviour linked to a protected characteristic that violates someone’s dignity or creates an offensive environment for them.
Indirect discrimination
Putting rules or arrangements in place that apply to everyone, but that put someone with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage.
Victimisation
Treating someone unfairly because they’ve complained about discrimination or harassment.
Examples of discrimination at work
Taking disciplinary action against a disabled employee because of their disability for taking longer to complete a task.
Preventing a worker from applying for an internal promotion opportunity because they are older and may retire soon.
Creating a workplace culture where projects and opportunities are assigned in settings where employees are expected to drink alcohol.
Excluding a pregnant woman from participating in workplace training because they are due to go on maternity leave soon.
Managers making offensive comments about LGBTQ+ people in the earshot of others, including a colleague they know is transgender.
Disability & Reasonable Adjustments
If you are disabled, you have the same rights as other workers. Employers must also make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure you are not put at an unfair disadvantage compared to non-disabled people.
Reasonable adjustments begin before you have the job, so you can request adjustments during the application process such as:
- Extra time to complete aptitude tests
- Assistance with interview arrangements
- Alternate versions of application forms (such as audio or Braille formats)
When you are at work, reasonable adjustments include:
- Providing specific equipment and assistive technology
- Adjusting your hours
- Ensuring workplaces have the right facilities and are accessible
What you can do if you are being discriminated against at work
The first step is to address the issue directly with your employer. You may choose to complain to a manager, HR department, or trade union representative. We can advise you on how to make a complaint about discrimination.
Contact our Employment Advice Line
If your complaint is not appropriately addressed and the discrimination continues, there are other avenues you can pursue, such as making a claim in a court or tribunal. We can advise you on your options and connect you with organisations that may be able to provide you with legal aid.
Contact our Employment Advice Line
Bullying & Harassment
Bullying is repeated, intentional behaviour that causes harm to a person or group. Bullying has the impact of undermining your dignity at work, and it can be physical, verbal, or psychological.
Harassment is unwanted behaviour that makes you feel intimidated or offended related to any of the 9 protected characteristics
Bullying and harassment are not the same, and only harassment related to protected characteristics is against the law.
Examples of bullying or harassing behaviour include:
- Spreading malicious rumours (regardless of whether it is true/untrue)
- Unfair treatment (such as holding an employee to a much higher standard compared to others)
- Picking on or regularly undermining someone (such as talking over them or dismissing their abilities)
- Denying someone’s training or promotion opportunities
What you can do if you are being bullied or harassed at work
The first step is to address the issue directly with your employer. You may choose to complain to a manager, HR department, or trade union representative. We can advise you on how to make a complaint about bullying or harassment.
Contact our Employment Advice Line
If your complaint is not appropriately addressed and harassment continues, there are other avenues you can pursue, such as making a claim in a court or tribunal. We can advise you on your options and connect you with organisations that may be able to provide you with legal aid.
Contact our Employment Advice Line
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for them. Sexual harassment can be perpetrated by anyone of any gender or sexual orientation.
Sexual harassment can be a singular incident or pattern of behaviour. It can happen in-person or online. At work, sexual harassment can involve:
- Making comments about someone’s body, clothing or appearance
- Talking about sex or asking questions about someone’s sex life
- Sexual jokes
- Unwanted touching of any kind
- Deliberately brushing up against someone
- Attempted or actual sexual assault
- Sharing pornographic or sexualised images/videos/content
- Repeatedly asking someone on a date and not taking “no” for an answer
What you can do if you are being sexually harassed at work
It may not feel safe for you to address sexual harassment directly with your employer. Our free, confidential support line is open to equestrians experiencing sexual harassment at work. We provide a safe space to talk, explore your options and get ongoing support that is personalised to your needs.
Please contact our Support Line
If you do feel safe to talk to your employer, we can support you to make a formal complaint about sexual harassment.
Contact our Employment Advice Line
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