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How our racial discrimination at work specialists can help

If you’re facing racial discrimination at work, it can be an unsettling and distressing time. You may be unsure about who to talk to, how to go about reporting the matter, and you may feel uncertain about who you can trust.

Our team helps many people who feel that their employer, or others in their workplace, are discriminating against them because of their race. We encourage you to share your experience with us so we can determine the best way to help you.

What is racial discrimination?

If you feel you are being treated unfairly by your employer or colleagues at work because of your race, skin colour, nationality or origins, then you may be experiencing racial discrimination. You could also be facing racial discrimination at work if you are being treated unfairly because of your associations with someone of a different race, like your partner or child, for example.

Racial discrimination in any form is unacceptable, and race is classed as one of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Any employer or employee who discriminates against someone else because of their race is committing an illegal act.

Call us free today to see how we can help you understand your options on 0808 164 0808, or request a call back if you’d like one of our no-win, no-fee experts to call you.

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racial discrimination at work frequently asked questions

What are examples of racial discrimination? toggle accordion
  • Dismissals – if you have been dismissed unfairly, constructively or wrongfully because of your race, you could be eligible to take legal action; 
  • Demotions / no promotions – if you are clearly being passed up for a promotion, not given the opportunity to apply for one, or even demoted because of your race this would be classed as racial discrimination; 
  • Being made redundant – if you have been made redundant based on your race, and your employer didn’t follow the correct protocol, this could be racial discrimination; 
  • Recruitment decisions – if you apply for a role and you are rejected for no other reason than your race, this would be discrimination; 
  • Pay and contractual terms – if you are being paid less than someone else in the same role as you because of your race, or the terms in your contract put you at a disadvantage because of your race, this would be discrimination; 
  • Training and opportunities – if you are being ignored or not given the appropriate training for your role due to your race this would be classed as racial discrimination; 
  • Victimisation at work – this can happen in one of two scenarios. You may be victimised and treated badly by your colleagues for reporting racial discrimination, or you could be victimised if you’ve been seen to help somebody who is reporting racial discrimination; 
  • Harassment – if your employer and/or colleagues are deliberately making you feel intimidated, humiliated and offended because of your race, this would be racial discrimination. 

How can I take action against racial discrimination at work? toggle accordion
Before seeking legal advice, there may be other options you can consider first. You could try raising an informal complaint at work and see if the situation can be diffused that way. If not, you could raise a formal complaint (known as a grievance) to try and resolve the situation with your employer. Or you may want to take your case to the Employment Tribunal.

How do I claim compensation for racial discrimination at work? toggle accordion
Our racial discrimination solicitors will be able to help you during the complaints process, and if you wish to take your race discrimination claim to the Employment Tribunal. We can help you try and reach a settlement with your employer, and if that doesn’t work we will be able to issue proceedings and represent you at the tribunal. Currently, the law states you have three months, less one day, from the date of the last ac of racial discrimination to start a complaint at an employment tribunal. In order to bring a tribunal claim for racial discrimination at work, we recommend you contact our employment solicitors in the first instance.
Racial Discrimination at Work legal services

Our approach to racial discrimination claims

  • Working closely with you to understand what’s happened
  • Listening to your story and reassuring you that we’re here to help with your racial discrimination claim
  • Doing what we can to achieve the best possible outcome for you

Funding your employment claim

A dispute with your employer can be stressful, and the last thing you want to be worried about is how to pay for the legal help and advice you need. We will help you get the best possible outcome in the most cost-effective way. Click below to find out more about the funding options available to you.

To learn more about funding your employment claim click here >

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Racial discrimination examples

Below we have listed some common examples of race discrimination at work:

  • Dismissals – if you have been dismissed unfairly, constructively or wrongfully because of your race, you could be eligible to take legal action;
  • Demotions / no promotions – if you are clearly being passed up for a promotion, not given the opportunity to apply for one, or even demoted because of your race this would be classed as racial discrimination;
  • Being made redundant – if you have been made redundant based on your race, and your employer didn’t follow the correct protocol, this could be racial discrimination;
  • Recruitment decisions – if you apply for a role and you are rejected for no other reason than your race, this would be discrimination;
  • Pay and contractual terms – if you are being paid less than someone else in the same role as you because of your race, or the terms in your contract put you at a disadvantage because of your race, this would be discrimination;
  • Training and opportunities – if you are being ignored or not given the appropriate training for your role due to your race this would be classed as racial discrimination;
  • Victimisation at work – this can happen in one of two scenarios. You may be victimised and treated badly by your colleagues for reporting racial discrimination, or you could be victimised if you’ve been seen to help somebody who is reporting racial discrimination;
  • Harassment – if your employer and/or colleagues are deliberately making you feel intimidated, humiliated and offended because of your race, this would be racial discrimination.

Our racial discrimination at work experts are here to guide you

Image of Neha Thethi
Neha Thethi

Head of Employment

Employment

Image of Lucy Needham
Lucy Needham

Litigation Legal Assistant

Employment

Get in touch with our no win, no fee racial discrimination at work solicitors today

If you need to talk to someone straight away you can call us for free on 0808 164 0808

Complete our form for a callback as soon as possible

Other discrimination at work claims we can help with

Age discrimination → Pregnancy & maternity discrimination → Sex discrimination → Disability discrimination → Gender reassignment discrimination →
Disclaimer

In general you have three months less one day from the most recent act of discrimination or breach to take action, meaning you should act fast.

We recommend you speak to one of our lawyers in the first instance. As part of the process, you’ll need to get in touch with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), who will aim to achieve early conciliation with your employer. However, our lawyers can assist in this process where appropriate and we have formally been instructed.

Please be aware that the ACAS process can take up to around a month to complete, which will be taken from the three months you have to begin with. It’s important to act quickly in order to bring a tribunal claim. If the conciliation procedure is unsuccessful, we may be able to support you with the tribunal. If you feel you have a potential employment claim please act quickly and contact us today.

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