Discrimination

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is when someone is treated unfairly for any of these reasons:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment 
• Marriage or civil partnership
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin)
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

These are called ‘protected characteristics’ under the law (the Equality Act 2010). Discrimination based on any of these protected characteristics is usually against the law.

Addressing discrimination in the workplace

From time to time, issues can crop up at work. Whether it's the work we do, the work environment or other colleagues. But nobody should face unfair treatment, discrimination, bullying or harassment in the course of doing their work. The good news is that there's a process for resolving these types of complaints.

It’s important that everyone has the opportunity to talk about their concerns if they feel they've been treated unfairly or inappropriately at work.

Talking about dealing with complaints can sometimes feel overwhelming and challenging because it can mean putting ourselves in an exposed and vulnerable position. But dealing with a grievance doesn't need to be scary - that's where we come in. We'll support you through the process and ensure you know what options are available to resolve your issue.

Problems at work can often be resolved informally in the first instance. The quicker and closer to the problem the better. But when someone’s intimidated or offended you, it’s not always that simple, and in more severe situations it may not be appropriate to address through informal means.

Whether you choose to address it informally, or through the formal process we’ll give you advice on how to put your complaint together and we’ll represent you at any hearings. You’ll need to be clear what your complaint is about, supply evidence to support it and be clear about what you want your employer to do about it – being as specific as possible.

Nobody should face unfair treatment, discrimination, bullying or harassment in the course of doing their work. Your employer is responsible for preventing bullying, harassment & discrimination – they’re liable for any harassment suffered by their employees.

Don’t suffer in silence. Find out more in our interactive eBite or contact your local officer to discuss your situation.

Play our interactive eBite Find your local Accord officer

• Read our interactive eBite guidance for detailed information on your options available, the process and the support available from the union.
  
• Find and contact your local Accord rep or Officer.
  
• Check out this guidance from Acas for more information on discrimination.

• We've created a grievance letter template to help you structure your arguments and think about the key points you wish to raise.
• Not satisfied with the outcome of your grievance? We've created a grievance appeal letter template to help you consider and structure your appeal arguments.

Have a disability and want to know more about your rights at work?

• We've created an interactive eBite guide to help you understand your rights at work.

Been selected for redundancy and feel you've been discriminated against?

• We've created further guidance to help you understand your right at work in redundancy situations including pregnancy & maternity rights.