United Kingdom
Cookies and privacy
skip navigation
Browse frequently asked questions and answers on key HR issues. Navigate by topic or key word search. View latest additions or suggest a question to the XpertHR editorial team.
How are employees protected from racial discrimination? Are employers liable for any racial discrimination suffered by employees? When may a claim of direct race discrimination be made? Does the Equality Act 2010 outlaw associative discrimination? Could an employee subjected to derogatory comments on the basis that he or she is Welsh have a potential claim under the Equality Act 2010? Can an employer defend itself against accusations of racial discrimination on the grounds that it needed to impose particular conditions that were interpreted as discrimination? If a white employee makes racist comments in the presence of other white employees only, could this be regarded as racial harassment? Under the Equality Act 2010, can an employee bring a claim for harassment where the unwanted conduct is not directed at him or her? If a third party harasses an employee, will his or her employer be liable for the third party's actions under the Equality Act 2010? What are the elements that constitute a claim of indirect race discrimination?
Under s.27 of the Equality Act 2010, victimisation occurs when a person (A) subjects another person (B) to a detriment because B has done a protected act or A believes that B has done, or may do, a protected act. There is no need for B to compare his or her treatment with someone who has not done a protected act.
The following are protected acts
Want to see more?