Complete guide to discrimination at work claims. Equality Act 2010, 9 protected characteristics (age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marriage, caste). No 2-year service requirement. Direct, indirect, harassment, victimisation claims. Tribunal compensation up to £100k+.
If you were treated unfairly at work because of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marriage, or caste, you can claim discrimination - no service requirement needed. Three types: direct (overt discrimination), indirect (neutral rule harming protected group), harassment (unwanted conduct creating hostile environment), victimisation (retaliation for raising claim). Claim at tribunal within 3 months of last incident. Compensation: unlimited (typical £10k-£50k, up to £100k+ for serious cases). Burden is on employer to prove treatment was not discriminatory.
Create a timeline of discriminatory incidents: dates, what happened, who was involved, witnesses, any evidence (emails, messages, performance reviews). Note: "Why was this incident discriminatory?" - how did it relate to your protected characteristic? Collect comparative evidence (were others treated differently?).
File formal grievance with employer describing discrimination and requesting investigation. Employer must respond within reasonable timeframe. If grievance shows employer failed to address discrimination, strengthens your tribunal case. Keep all correspondence. If employer retaliates (victimises you), that's an additional claim.
Notify ACAS (0300 123 1100) for early conciliation (mandatory before tribunal). ACAS contacts employer to attempt settlement. Get ACAS certificate. Document all discriminatory incidents and impact (lost earnings, distress, health issues).
File ET1 form at tribunal (et3online.civilservice.gov.uk) claiming discrimination under Equality Act 2010. Include ACAS number, description of each incident, evidence, witnesses, impact. Tribunal decides if treatment was discriminatory and awards compensation (no service requirement - even 1-day employees can claim).
Younger, less experienced colleague promoted over you. You're told "We want younger energy" or "You're overqualified." This is direct age discrimination. Claim unfair treatment based on age under Equality Act. Compare: was younger person genuinely better qualified?
You have disability (physical, mental, chronic illness). Employer refused reasonable adjustments (flexible hours, home working, accessible office). Discrimination is refusing adjustments that would enable you to work. Claim disability discrimination.
Female colleagues paid less than males in same role. No legitimate pay reason. This is direct sex discrimination. Claim under Equal Pay Act 1970 or Equality Act 2010. Compare: do male colleagues earn more for same/similar work?
Subject to racist jokes, comments, or exclusion from opportunities (no projects, meetings, social events) because of race/ethnicity. Employer failed to act despite complaints. Claim race discrimination and harassment under Equality Act.
Refused flexible break for prayer, time off for religious festival, or allowed harassment of religious beliefs. Employer must accommodate religion unless undue hardship. Claim religion discrimination and harassment.
Pregnant or on maternity leave, subjected to unfavourable treatment (pay cut, missed promotion, exclusion from opportunities). Automatic discrimination - maternity is a protected characteristic. Claim pregnancy discrimination (no service requirement needed).
Use FightingBack's WorkRights tool to document incidents, contact ACAS, and file tribunal claim.
Start Your Discrimination Claim