One of the most challenging aspects of discrimination law is the number of differing definitions of discrimination that exist.
The Race Relations Act 1976 prohibits racial discrimination in
employment
. ‘Racial grounds’ covers not only race but also nationality, colour and ethnic or national origins.
Discrimination does not need to relate to an individual’s own racial group to be unlawful. It would be still be judged as racial discrimination at work, for example, for an employer to dismiss a white employee because he or she objected to racist banter in the workplace, or refused to carry out an instruction to discriminate against customers of a certain race.
Our HR & Legal team can help you get to grips with the practical employment implications of the race relations act, as well as helping you handle any potential claims. You can read how we have helped one business prepare for, and ultimately win, a tribunal case on racial discrimination in the workplace.