Try to sort it out informally first, keep a written record, and get free advice from the Labour Relations Agency or the Equality Commission.
Quick facts
- Protected
- Age, race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion and politics
- Religion or politics
- Fair Employment Tribunal
- Other claims
- Industrial Tribunal
- Time limit
- Often three months
- Bullying
- No direct claim, but harassment and discrimination laws apply
What counts as discrimination
Indirect discrimination is when a working condition or rule disadvantages one group of people more than another. Indirect discrimination is unlawful, whether it is done on purpose or not.
Your employer must make sure that a redundancy policy doesn't directly or indirectly discriminate against older workers.
Religious belief and political opinion
It is against the law for an employer to discriminate against you because of your religious or similar philosophical beliefs or political opinions. As a last resort, if you feel you've been discriminated against, you can make a claim at a Fair Employment Tribunal.
Race, sex and sexual orientation
The Industrial Tribunal decides on individual cases of discrimination in the employment field. Complaints must be made within three months of the date of the alleged discrimination.
You also have the right not to be victimised. This means that you must not be treated less favourably because you've complained, or been involved in a complaint, about sexual orientation discrimination.
Bullying and harassment
It's not possible to make a legal claim directly about bullying, but complaints can be made under laws covering discrimination and harassment. Employers have a 'duty of care' to their employees and this includes dealing with bullying at work.
If you can't solve the problem informally, you should make a formal complaint. Keep a written record of any bullying or harassment.
Common questions
Where do I take a religious discrimination claim in Northern Ireland?
To the Fair Employment Tribunal, as a last resort after trying to resolve it.
How long do I have to make a discrimination claim?
Often three months from the date of the discrimination, so act quickly and get advice.
- nidirect: Introduction to discrimination
- nidirect: Age discrimination
- nidirect: Racial discrimination
- nidirect: Religious belief and political opinion discrimination
- nidirect: Sex discrimination and equal pay
- nidirect: Sexual orientation discrimination
- nidirect: Bullying in the workplace
- nidirect: Human rights in the workplace