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Sexual orientation discrimination

Sexual orientation discrimination legislation has been in place in the UK since 2003. Sexual orientation is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. The law is primarily designed to protect lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) employees and job applicants against direct and indirect sexual orientation discrimination, and harassment and victimisation because of someone's sexual orientation.

However, it is well-established in UK case law that a heterosexual individual can also be subjected to sexual orientation discrimination. For example, this could occur where a homophobic taunt is used towards an individual whom the perpetrator knows is not actually gay (English v Thomas Sanderson Blinds Ltd).

“Gender reassignment” is a separate protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. This means that transgender individuals are also protected against discrimination in the workplace.


    • Working from home
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    • Latest News

    Monkeypox advice for employers: working from home and sick pay

    by Ashleigh Webber 26 May 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 26 May 2022

    As the number of monkeypox cases in the UK rises, employers have been advised to conduct risk assessments and follow standard sickness procedures.

    • Stress
    • Latest News
    • Sexual orientation discrimination

    Worker wins £22k following ‘old white man’ comments

    by Ashleigh Webber 21 Feb 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 21 Feb 2022

    A worker who was called an ‘old white man’ by a colleague, whose comments eventually led to him being signed...

    • Europe
    • Legal sector
    • Associative discrimination

    Technicality sees European court reject ‘gay cake’ appeal

    by Adam McCulloch 6 Jan 2022
    by Adam McCulloch 6 Jan 2022

    The European Court of Human Rights stated that Gareth Lee's 'gay cake' case had failed to exhaust domestic remedies.

    • Social mobility
    • Gender
    • Unconscious bias

    Law firm salaries’ relationship with diversity revealed

    by Adam McCulloch 8 Nov 2021
    by Adam McCulloch 8 Nov 2021

    A new study of law firms has revealed a degree of progress in diversity and a more complex pattern of identity .

    • Latest News
    • LGBT
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    Do we still have pride in Pride? Benjamin Cohen talks to Oven-Ready HR

    by Chris Taylor 17 Sep 2021
    by Chris Taylor 17 Sep 2021

    Pride month is the annual celebration, commemoration and affirmation of LGBT+ activism and culture that started with the Stonewall uprising...

    • Latest News
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Sexual orientation discrimination

    Discrimination case dismissed to avoid encouraging ‘culture of hyper-sensitivity’

    by Ashleigh Webber 3 Aug 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 3 Aug 2021

    A lawyer made numerous discrimination and harassment complaints against a former employer.

    • Legal sector
    • Education
    • Latest News

    Stonewall’s diversity scheme accused of being unlawful

    by Adam McCulloch 28 May 2021
    by Adam McCulloch 28 May 2021

    The ‘diversity champions’ scheme run by LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall has been accused of providing unlawful advice on transgender rights.

    • Latest News
    • Sexual orientation discrimination
    • Case law

    Firefighter who called gay colleague ‘half a man’ wins £12k pay out

    by Ashleigh Webber 7 Apr 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 7 Apr 2021

    A firefighter who called a short gay colleague ‘half a man’ has been awarded more than £12,000 because of the way his employer dismissed him.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Research
    • Gender

    CPD: supporting transgender people in work

    by Personnel Today 1 Apr 2021
    by Personnel Today 1 Apr 2021

    In the second article in her two-part series, Dawn Wyvern looks at practical ways employers, with the help of occupational...

    • Sexual harassment
    • CIPD
    • Latest News

    LGBT+ workers experience higher levels of conflict at work

    by Jo Faragher 11 Feb 2021
    by Jo Faragher 11 Feb 2021

    More than four in 10 LGB+ workers have experienced a work-based conflict in the last year, rising to 55% for trans workers.

    • Latest News
    • LGBT
    • Gender reassignment discrimination

    How to keep LGBT employees safe abroad

    by Stuart Affleck 8 Feb 2021
    by Stuart Affleck 8 Feb 2021

    It may not seem a burning issue right now, but there good reasons for firms to meet the needs of LGBT+ employees who need to travel or be resident abroad.

    • Police
    • Disability discrimination
    • Latest News

    Racist, sexist, homophobic police officers sacked

    by Rob Moss 8 Jan 2021
    by Rob Moss 8 Jan 2021

    Three police officers at Hampshire Constabulary’s serious organised crime unit were sacked for gross misconduct after being secretly bugged following whistleblower concerns.

    • Financial services
    • Legal sector
    • Latest News

    Stonewall announces top global employers for LGBT equality

    by Rob Moss 21 Sep 2020
    by Rob Moss 21 Sep 2020

    Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality charity Stonewall has announced its Top Global Employers for 2020.

    • USA
    • Latest News
    • Gender reassignment discrimination

    US Supreme Court hands down landmark ruling for LGBT workers’ rights

    by Ashleigh Webber 16 Jun 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 16 Jun 2020

    The US Supreme Court has ruled that it is unlawful for employers to dismiss workers because of their sexual orientation...

    • Adoption
    • Latest News
    • Sexual orientation discrimination

    Gay engineer awarded £175k for ‘nightmare’ treatment after coming out

    by Rob Moss 15 Apr 2020
    by Rob Moss 15 Apr 2020

    An engineer has been awarded £175,000 after taking his employer to the...

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