Which laws protect you against gender discrimination in the workplace?
Equality Act 2010
In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 protects you from gender discrimination in the workplace by outlining “protected characteristics” that are protected from direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation. These characteristics include: sex, gender Reassignment, pregnancy, and maternity.
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 Act 1970
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?
To address gender discrimination in the workplace, you should document the instances, review your companies policies and follow your company’s grievance procedure.
If raising it internally does 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.