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Personal Employment

Discrimination & harassment lawyers in London & Thames Valley

What is discrimination?

Discrimination in the workplace can take many forms. Various types of discrimination and other unlawful conduct that apply to the protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation) are direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

What is harassment?

Harassment is any unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. A single incident can amount to harassment. It also includes treating someone less favourably because they have submitted or refused to submit to unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, or that is related to gender reassignment or sex, in the past.

Common grounds for discrimination and harassment

Discrimination and/or harassment may take the form of racist, sexist, homophobic or ageist jokes or stereotypical remarks about a particular ethnic or religious group, religion or belief, or gender; offensive emails, text messages or social media content; mocking, mimicking or belittling a person’s disability.

Whether you believe that you have been treated badly or suffered harassment simply because you have one of the protected characteristics or because your employer’s working arrangements are inherently discriminatory, we can offer you support, help you understand your rights and the actions you can take to get the discrimination to stop.

Why you need a discrimination lawyer

Proving that discrimination and/or harassment has occurred is not always easy and it can be a daunting process so our lawyers will guide you on the evidence you need, how you can best meet the obstacles head on and give yourself the best chance of a successful outcome. We also act for companies which means that we are well equipped to advise you on a grievance or claim and how to position you when dealing with your employer.

Contact Us

If you need assistance with raising a discrimination or harassment grievance or claim, please get in contact with our discrimination law specialists. 

An exceptional balance of expertise and personality.”

Legal 500

Key contacts

Monica Atwal

Managing Partner

View profile

+44 118 960 4605

Katie Glendinning

Partner

View profile

+44 118 960 4610

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  • 12 March 2020
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Time for reflection following pay gap submissions

The deadline for the third set of gender pay gap submissions is fast-approaching, with the public sector organisations due to submit their gender pay gap data by 30 March 2020, and private companies and charities by 4 April 2020.

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  • 11 March 2020
  • Employment

£550,000 costs award against claimant

In the case of Radia v Jefferies International Limited the Claimant was unsuccessful in his claims for disability discrimination.  Following assessment, he was ordered to pay £550,000 to the Respondent in respect of their legal costs (which actually totalled around £700,000 but the Respondent capped these at £550,000).

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  • 06 March 2020
  • Employment

Former civil servant brings constructive dismissal claim

The very public resignation of Sir Philip Rutnam has clearly generated the media coverage he anticipated.

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  • 05 March 2020
  • Employment

Capping exit pay-out for disabled police officers to prevent ‘windfall’ was discrimination

In Chief Constable of Gwent Police v Parsons and Roberts, the claimants were two police officers who were disabled under the Equality Act.

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  • 27 February 2020
  • Employment

IR35: Eamonn Holmes found to be employed for tax purposes

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes has lost his appeal against a 2018 tax tribunal finding that income tax and national insurance was due on his earnings as presenter of This Morning because his contract with ITV amounted to employment for tax purposes.

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  • 26 February 2020
  • Employment

The Vegan Society issues guidance for employers

Following last month’s landmark ruling that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief protected under the Equality Act 2010, The Vegan Society has issued guidance for employers to help them “accommodate the needs of vegans” in the workplace.

“I would like to commend the team at Clarkslegal for their support given to me at my recent employment tribunal. Their attention to detail, foresight in their approach and ability to keep me focused were truly exceptional.”

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