How am I protected against racial discrimination?

Under the Equality Act 2010 it is unlawful for employers to treat workers less favourably than others because of their race, colour, nationality and/or ethnic origin.

In most cases, protection from race discrimination also encompasses less favourable treatment due to caste. Sometimes someone’s ethnicity and religious belief are closely related. Where this happens, there can be less favourable treatment due to both race and religious belief.

Workers are protected at all stages of employment, including recruitment and dismissal, against both direct discrimination and indirect discrimination. Discrimination includes harassment and victimisation.

There are limited exceptions where there is an 'occupational requirement' for someone of a particular race, religion or belief and this can be objectively justified. For example, selecting a black actor to play the part of Othello would not be unlawful discrimination.

It is also unlawful to put barriers in place that make it harder for you and for other members of a racial group to secure promotion, when compared to others of a different race, colour or nationality. This is known as 'indirect discrimination'.