Discrimination

The Equality Act 2010 says that people must not be unfairly discriminated against because of colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins. Race discrimination can happen in any aspect of work. It can result from decisions made at work or from how people behave towards each other. It could be a regular pattern of racist behaviour or a one-off incident. 

Read our Think Piece by Sasha Salmon to find out more about anti-racism in the industry. 

The Equality Act 2010 protects employees from discrimination because of religion or philosophical belief. It is broadly accepted that supporting a political party is not a philosophical belief under the Equality Act. However, a political philosophy significantly affecting how a person lives their life may be protected. The Human Rights Act 1998 gives a person the right to hold a religion or belief, and to show that belief, but not if that display or expression interferes with the rights and freedoms of others.

In the UK, incidents of Islamophobia and antisemitism have increased since 7 October 2023. In response, the Film and TV Charity has surveyed people working in the film and TV sector to gain as comprehensive an understanding as possible of their experiences of antisemitism and Islamophobia and to help us identify the support they need.

• Tell Mama supports victims of anti-Muslim hate and is a public service which also measures and monitors anti-Muslim incidents. 

• Community Security Trust is a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. 

Disability discrimination includes hidden or non-visible disabilities or conditions such as neurodiversity, mental health conditions, cognitive impairment and chronic pain. Acas provides further information. An example of unlawful disability discrimination is the failure of employers to make ​“reasonable adjustments” in relation to a Disabled employee’s working arrangements. If this happens to you, you would have the option of taking your employer to tribunal, regardless of your length of service or contract.

Caring responsibilities

Equality legislation could also protect you against discrimination because of your caring responsibilities if you’re treated less favourably than someone else because you’re caring for an elderly or Disabled person. Carer’s UK provide advice about your statutory rights as a carer.

Sex Discrimination legislation means that men and women have the right not to be discriminated against at work because of their gender. The law defines sex discrimination as being direct or indirect, and it includes harassment and victimisation. Learn more about what constitutes bullying, harassment, discrimination, and victimisation here.

Rights of Women is a charity that provides free confidential legal advice and information to women on the law in England and Wales. They have an employment law advice line for women experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, click here to see their comprehensive guide to understanding your rights.

Pregnant Then Screwed can advise on your legal rights if you are pushed out of your job, demoted, bullied, harassed, or experience any other form of discrimination as a result of pregnancy, maternity leave or parenthood.

Gender reassignment discrimination is when you are treated differently because you are trans in one of the situations covered by the Equality Act. The treatment could be a one-off action or as a result of a rule or policy. It doesn’t have to be intentional to be unlawful. However, there are some circumstances when being treated differently due to being trans is lawful.

The LGBT Foundation provides advice, support, and information for people identifying as LGBTQ+ and has a Trans Advocacy Service for trans people facing discrimination in employment.

• Hate crimes are criminal offences and people who commit them can be prosecuted. There is more information about hate crime and ways to find support via the True Vision website.
• Stop Hate UK operates the UK’s only free dedicated 24-hour anti-Hate Crime reporting service for all monitored strands of a person’s identity or perceived identity. It offers independent reporting and support for victims and witnesses of hate crimes. Visit their website to see if your area is covered, and find links to other reporting options.
• The Discrimination Casework Service assists individuals who have suffered discrimination due to any protected characteristics. They also offer mental health support.
• Age UK provides information on ageism, also called age discrimination, that you may experience at work and how you are protected by the law. 
• Rethink has an information line for people dealing with mental illness.
• The Disability Law Service can help with a range of issues – whether you are in work and trying to access equality of opportunity in the workplace; or if you have left work through dismissal or resignation. They can help people with the statutory right to reasonable adjustments in the workplace; or the contractual right to a safe working environment; or the statutory rights to freedom from discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
• Galop provides helplines and other support for LGBT+ people who have experienced Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Racism, Disability hate, Homophobia, Biphobia or Transphobia.