Discrimination
Discrimination Solicitors
An employment relationship is established as soon as an employee accepts a job offer. In addition, as soon as the work commences, the employee is afforded certain legal protections.
Employment contracts are paramount to the running of a business and should be used to set the tone of your work environment, maximise productivity and encourage harmony within the company.
Solicitor for Employment Contracts Near Me
Discrimination comes in various forms. It is unlawful if an employer treats an employee ‘less favourably’ on the grounds of a protected characteristic.
‘Less favourable treatment’ may concern sex, race, disability, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity or age. Treating an employee this way can negatively impact not only the employee affected but the business itself.
In some cases, discrimination in the workplace claims can even lead to an employment tribunal.
Solicitor for Discrimination Claims Near Me
Discrimination claims may not have stemmed directly from one of the protected characteristics listed above. For example, if a firmwide policy has been implemented that puts a particular person or group at a disadvantage, this is also considered discriminatory.
Discrimination can occur in various situations, regardless of whether it is intentional. Many discrimination claims arise for situational changes that affect an employee. The points below outline a few potential circumstances that might be deemed discriminatory:
- An employee takes extended leave for a family-related situation and seeks to return to their old job, but they cannot do so (or a similar role if the leave was for more than six months).
- An employee requests their working hours to be amended to assist with childcare, but they are refused this request.
- A disabled employee requires adjustments to their working environment or terms of employment to cater to the obstacles they face, but this is not considered or acted upon by the employer.
By following policies and procedures within your organisation, as an employer, you will be in an optimal position to avoid such claims from being successful. Although it is not always possible to avoid claims from arising altogether, as an employer, ensuring that your employees are treated fairly and that employment laws are considered at all times is essential.
If you are an employer seeking advice, please contact our experienced employment lawyers today on 01945 583194 (Wisbech) or 01354 652606 (March), or email reception@bowsers.co.uk. Alternatively, you can fill in our contact form.
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March and Wisbech Solicitors
Bowsers Solicitors is the firm you can trust when you need us most. We understand that prevention is paramount for employers. By speaking to one of our experienced employment law specialists, we can assist you with whether you need legal representation due to a discrimination claim or are seeking to implement the appropriate policies and procedures to stop these claims from arising.
To speak to one of our approachable yet professional solicitors or chartered legal executives today, please call 01945 583194 (Wisbech) or 01354 652606 (March), or email reception@bowsers.co.uk. Alternatively, you can fill in our contact form.
Solicitor for Equal Pay Cambridgeshire
The Equal Pay Act 1970 introduced the requirement to ensure that men and women received equal pay for equal or comparable work. Tribunals often conduct equal pay audits and order mandatory annual pay gap reporting to ensure these laws are upheld.
Equal pay applies to all workers and extends to all wages, salaries, occupational pensions, bonuses, overtime sick pay and holiday pay.
Although pay discrimination may be unintentional in some cases, the consequences of getting it wrong can significantly damage the business.
In all cases, as an employer, you must be able to show a ‘genuine material factor’ to justify inequality in pay. This reasoning must be unrelated to gender and entirely justifiable. At any time, an employee can request to see information about whether they are receiving equal pay. At any time during employment, an equal pay claim can be brought in an employment tribunal or within six months following the termination of employment.
Discrimination Claims for Employees
At Bowsers Solicitors, our lawyers have experience acting for employers and employees for their discrimination in the workplace claims. Please find out more about our employee discrimination claims service here.
We would never act for both the employee and employer on a discrimination matter, as this would be deemed a conflict of interest.