In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, which has set out rules in relation to racial discrimination against potential and current employees in the workplace. This includes discrimination against colour, nationality, and ethnicity.
There are four main types of racial discrimination, including:
- Direct Discrimination, which occurs when an employee is treated less favourably in relation to another member of staff due to their actual race, perceived race, or the race of an employee’s associate.
- Indirect Discrimination, which occurs when the organisations rules or procedures apply to all workers, however they disadvantage people of a particular race. An example of this could be that an organisation advertises for an accountant, stating that English should be the applicant’s first language. This can be seen as racial discrimination towards anyone who is not a native English speaker, however they fit all the other qualifications, although English may be their second language.
- Racial Harassment, which occurs when unwanted conduct is directed towards an employee in relation to their race, especially if it makes them feel distressed, humiliated, and offended within the work environment. It is not only limited to insults or unacceptable behaviour, relating to an employee’s race.
- Victimisation, which is also a form of direct discrimination and usually occurs when a member of staff is treated in an unfair manner due to them making or support a complaint against racist remarks or behaviour.
- Racial discrimination by association, which occurs when a person is treated in an unfavourable manner due to their association with employees of another race.
If you feel as though you have experienced any of the above, you must inform the appropriate person of your complaint in the form of a grievance letter or meeting. Allow your employer to deal with the complaint on an informal basic first, however if you are dissatisfied with how your complaint has been dealt with you can take it to an Employment Tribunal.
Here at Three Graces Legal we can help anyone who has experienced race discrimination in the workplace.
Please contact us on 0151 659 1070 to see how we may be of assistance.