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Sexual orientation

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.


    • Latest News
    • LGBT
    • Transgender

    Accreditation scheme will ‘encourage LGBT+ people to be themselves’

    by Ashleigh Webber 17 May 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 17 May 2022

    Minister for equalities Mike Freer has welcomed the launch of a certification scheme for organisations with LGBT+ leadership.

    • Latest News
    • LGBT
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    Barrister can proceed with philosophical belief claim against Stonewall

    by Jo Faragher 3 Dec 2021
    by Jo Faragher 3 Dec 2021

    Allison Bailey is suing Stonewall over allegations the organisation tried to silence her after she co-founded a group called the LGB Alliance.

    • 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 .

    • Gender
    • Latest News
    • LGBT

    Three steps to becoming LGBTQ+ inclusive all year round

    by Lynne Hardman 8 Jun 2021
    by Lynne Hardman 8 Jun 2021

    Showing support for the LGBTQ+ community involves more than turning a company's logo into a rainbow, writes Lynne Hardman.

    • 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.

    • Gender
    • Unconscious bias
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    How to improve inclusion and tackle microaggressions

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    • 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...

    • Latest News
    • LGBT
    • Case law

    Christian actress loses legal case after anti-LGBT comments

    by Rob Moss 17 Feb 2021
    by Rob Moss 17 Feb 2021

    An actress who was stripped of a role following the discovery of anti-gay comments on Facebook has lost a tribunal...

    • Financial services
    • Gender
    • Ethnicity

    TSB sets diversity targets for first time

    by Ashleigh Webber 8 Feb 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 8 Feb 2021

    TSB has for the first time set targets to increase diversity within its organisation.

    • Gender pay gap
    • Financial services
    • Working from home

    KMPG partner pay cut by 11% as it sets out hybrid working plan

    by Ashleigh Webber 3 Feb 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 3 Feb 2021

    KPMG has cut the pay of its UK partners by 11% and is rethinking its office estate as it focuses...

    • Social mobility
    • Sexual harassment
    • Reasonable adjustments

    Diversity & Inclusion: Sign up to our free e-newsletter now

    by Personnel Today 23 Jan 2021
    by Personnel Today 23 Jan 2021

    Personnel Today’s fastest growing email newsletter focuses on all aspects of diversity and inclusion.
    Subscribe below to receive the latest...

    • Gender
    • Latest News
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    One in four LGBT staff hiding their gender identity or sexual orientation

    by Ashleigh Webber 26 Jun 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 26 Jun 2020

    One in four LGBT employees in the UK remain “in the closet” at work, while many more are not fully...

    • Unconscious bias
    • Ethnicity
    • Latest News

    Why diversity and inclusion is critical to business recovery

    by Ashleigh Webber 11 Jun 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 11 Jun 2020

    Diversity and inclusion could form a cornerstone of businesses' recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, the CIPD's Festival of Work heard.

    • Gender
    • Local authorities
    • Latest News

    Newcastle City Council tops LGBT+ inclusion list

    by Ashleigh Webber 30 Jan 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 30 Jan 2020

    Newcastle City Council has been named the most inclusive employer by LGBT+ charity Stonewall.
    The local authority received the accolade...

    • Latest News
    • LGBT
    • Sexual orientation discrimination

    Driver suspended after refusing to drive bus with rainbow-coloured number

    by Ashleigh Webber 14 Aug 2019
    by Ashleigh Webber 14 Aug 2019

    A bus driver has been suspended after reportedly refusing to drive a bus decorated with the rainbow-coloured LGBT pride flag....

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