Frank & Honest

• Life »
• Work:

Sex and gender discrimination

There are laws to protect people – whatever their gender – from discrimination and being treated unfairly on the grounds of their gender.

Sex discrimination can take many different forms. Examples of direct discrimination include treating somebody less favourably than others due to their sex. An example of indirect discrimination would be having rules or policies at work which disadvantage one gender more than another.

The law states that employers must be fair and equal to both genders in their recruitment of new staff, in selecting individuals for promotion, in providng training opportunities and with regard dismissal and disciplinary procedures. The law protects women from being discriminated against due to their entitlement to take maternity leave, in relation to returning to work after maternity leave or should they wish to keep working whilst pregnant.

Penalties for gender discrimination for employers can be very high.

You’ll find lots more information about rights (and responsibilities) regarding gender discrimination on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website – link below. It includes lots of practical advice and legal information – and offers a confidential helpline that you can call if you feel you have been unfairly treated due to your gender at work, in education, or an organisation providing a service.

Contact Details and Links

Name: Equality and Human Rights Commission (Wales Office)
Web: www.equalityhumanrights.com
Email:
Tel: 029 20447710
Tel: 0845 604 8810 (Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline Wales)
Textphone: 0845 604 8820 (Wales specific line)
Info: The Equality and Human Rights Commission is charged by law to protect individuals against discrimination, to enforce the laws on equality and to promote fairness and human rights for everyone. The Commission relates to Wales, England and Scotland (but not Northern Ireland. )

Name: Citizens Advice Bureau
Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Web: www.adviceguide.org.uk
Info: Citizens Advice Bureaux provide free, confidential and independent advice from over 3,000 locations including in bureaux, GP surgeries, hospitals, colleges, prisons and courts.

Name: Community Legal Advice
Web: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
Tel: 0845 345 4345
Email:
Info: Community Legal Advice is a free and confidential advice service paid for by legal aid.

Name: Direct Gov
Web: www.direct.gov.uk
Info: Directgov is the website of the UK government. It provides information and online services for the public all in one place.

Name: Gender Recognition Panel
Web: http://www.grp.gov.uk/
Email:
Tel:
Info: Information and advice for transsexual people who wish to apply for gender recognition.

To read the FrankandHonest.com disclaimer, please click here

The content of this website is not intended to be a substitute for individual professional advice.

Frankandhonest.com is brought to you by ASK Education & Training Ltd. We provide training for young people and organisations working with young people. This site was created in response to countless requests from young people for a place to get answers.