What laws protect you against gender discrimination in the workplace?
The main law that protects you against gender discrimination is the Equality Act 2010.
It is worth noting that under the Act, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee because they have responsibilities as a carer. An employee who looks after somebody who is elderly or disabled is protected because they are associated with the person who is elderly or disabled.
Equal Pay
You are protected from gender discrimination by the Equal Pay Act 1970. Under the Act, you have the right to the same pay as someone of the opposite sex who works for the same employer and:
- doing the same work as you, or
- doing work which is at an equivalent level because it involves a similar amount of effort, skill and responsibility
What can you do about gender discrimination in the workplace?
If you have suffered gender discrimination in the workplace, the first step is to follow your company’s grievance procedure.
If you do not achieve a satisfactory outcome, the next step is to register your discrimination claim with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). It is advisable to act fast because typically, you have just three months less one day from the date the discrimination took place to commence action.
Our gender discrimination lawyers at Davisons Law can file a claim for you at an employment tribunal where early conciliation fails.