Race Discrimination Advice

Have you been discriminated against at work on the grounds of race? The specialist employment law solicitors at Percy Hughes & Roberts Solicitors can provide employers and employees with expert legal advice on racial discrimination claims on both sides of the fence.

For more information about claiming compensation for racial discrimination, or simply to arrange for an initial consultation with one of our expert solicitors FREEPHONE 0800 781 3894 or e-mail your enquiry here.

Race discrimination Advice for employees

Race discrimination is when an employee is treated less favourably because of their race, colour, nationality, or their ethnic origin.

The following four types of race discrimination are unlawful and if you have experienced any of these within the workplace you could be entitled to a claim:

• Direct - This is when, under circumstances that are the same such as perhaps a promotion, a person is discriminated against purely because of their race.
• Indirect – when a policy or practice is put in place that has a negative effect on people of a certain race more than others.
• Harassment – when harassment takes place specifically due to the race of the person, for example being on the receiving end of intimidating behaviour or the use of racist language
• Victimisation – This has a different meaning within law, in this case it means when an individual is treated in a less than favourable way because they made a complaint of race discrimination against the company.

However under certain circumstances due to the nature of job it may require an employee of a particular racial group. This is known as a genuine occupational requirement, and is looked at on a case by case basis.

According to the Equality Act 2010 it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against anybody on the grounds of race. Thus you have a legal right to make a race discrimination claim to an Employment Tribunal or use a grievance procedure in situations like those above.

Race discrimination advice for employers

If you are an employer and are facing a claim for racial discrimination from one of your employees, you will need legal advice in order to help you prevent the claim and to know where you stand with regards to your position and your defence. Alternatively, you could simply be looking for advice on policies and general advice surrounding discrimination.

Either way give PHR Solicitors a call today to arrange for an initial consultation with one of our employment law solicitors based in Birkenhead, near Liverpool.

Preventing Racial Discrimination in the Workplace

All employers must create policies to ensure that racial discrimination in their workplace does not happen. You must ensure that the working environment does not foster this sort of discrimination in any form, there must be publicised policies and awareness must be raised in all employees to ensure that they know there will be no tolerance of such behaviour. All complaints must be investigated and acted upon.

The following is a list of common areas of business where discrimination typically takes place, and which you should take steps to ensure you do not discriminate against anybody.

• Recruiting new staff
• Internal promotion of staff
• Levels of pay
• Disciplinary matters
• Grievances
• Action taken against harrassment or bullying
• The training and development of staff

Contact Us

Whether you are a staff member who feels you have been racially discriminated against, an employer who has had a claim bought against you or if you are simply looking to improve your policies, get in touch with Percy Hughes & Roberts Solicitors. We are based in Birkenhead near Liverpool and can deal with claims throughout the whole of the North West, particularly Merseyside and Wirral areas.

To contact Mark Bland, Lindsey Knowles, or other members of the employment team, simply call freephone 0800 781 3894 or complete the enquiry form on the 'contact us' page.