Life In The UK Test - Free Materials

It is against the law for employers to discriminate against someone at work. This means
that a person should not be refused work, training or promotion or treated less favourably
because of their:

Sex
Nationality, race, colour or ethnic group
Disability
Religion
Sexual orientation
Age

In Northern Ireland, the law also bans discrimination on ground of religious belief or
political opinion.

The law also says that men and women who do the same job, or work of equal value,
should receive equal pay. Almost all the laws protecting people at work apply equally to
people doing part-time or full-time jobs.

There are, however, a small number of jobs where discrimination laws do not apply. For
example, discrimination is not against the law when the job involves working for
someone in their own home.

You can get more information about the law and racial discrimination from the
Commission for Racial Equality. The Equal Opportunities Commission can help with sex
discrimination issues and the Disability Rights Commission deals with disability issues.
Each of these organisations offers advice and information and can, in some cases, support
individuals. From October 2007 their functions will be brought together in a new
Commission for Equality and Human Rights. You can get more information about the
laws protecting people at work from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

In Northern Ireland, the Equality Commission provides information and advice in respect
of all forms of unlawful discrimination.