In line with Government guidelines for safe working during the COVID pandemic, access to our office is strictly by a pre-arranged appointment only, and only where absolutely necessary. We are open for business with some staff working in the office and others from home, they can still be contacted in the usual way either by telephone or email.

In respect of your pre-arranged appointment, if you develop symptoms of COVID, or have in the last 14 days come into contact with someone with COVID or symptoms of, we ask that you contact the office by telephone/email to arrange a new appointment or discuss if there is an appropriate alternative to your meeting.

The safety of our staff and clients is of paramount importance to us and so thank you for your continued co-operation during these unprecedented times.

Discrimination

Discrimination

Protected characteristics

It is unlawful to discriminate, victimise or harass you because of your sex, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, religion or belief. These are known as protected characteristics.

 

Forms of discrimination

The Equality Act 2010 sets out the law which prohibits this discrimination. There are various forms of discrimination which are known as direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, victimisation and harassment. There are two additional forms of discrimination relating to disability and they are: discrimination arising from disability and a duty to make reasonable adjustments.

 

Eligibility to bring a discrimination claim

You do not need any period of continuous employment to be eligible to make a discrimination claim. Discrimination can apply even before you start a job e.g. when deciding whether to offer you a job and the terms upon which you are offered any job.

More usually, discrimination claims arise once you are in employment. Discrimination in relation to the protected characteristics is prohibited in relation to promotion, transfer, training and benefits, dismissing you or subjecting you to any other detriment.

 

Liability for discrimination

Liability for proven discrimination normally lies with your employer, even if it is one of your work colleagues or managers who have discriminated against you. You may also be able to make a claim against the person responsible for the discrimination.

 

Grievance

You may decide to raise a grievance with your employer about the issues which you are experiencing at work. This may resolve the problem so that you feel happy to continue in your job, rather than resign. However, quite often, employees are left unhappy with the outcome of grievances and still want to leave employment.

 

Settlement Agreement

If you have a discrimination claim, we can often negotiate a Settlement Agreement with your employer. Our employment law solicitors have experience in writing to employers, setting out your claims and inviting your employer to offer a financial package to you.

In return for accepting the financial package, you would give up your employment claims and this may (but not always) include your employment ending under a Settlement Agreement.

Settlement Agreements are legal binding agreements upon which you must receive independent legal advice. The Agreement usually includes a variety of clauses, such as the settlement of claims, confidentiality of the Agreement, an agreement that neither side makes derogatory comments about the other and (if your employment is terminating) the provision of an agreed reference for you.

Get In Touch With Our Employment Law Solicitors

If you would like to discuss a discrimination claim, then please contact us on 024 7653 1532. 

At BTTJ, we have employment law solicitors that are able to work across the whole of the Coventry and Warwickshire region including Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Warwick, Atherstone and Balsall Common as well as further afield.

The above is not intended to provide advice.

Contact a member of our team today

Kerry Hudson

Solicitor, Personal Injury & Employment

024 7653 1532