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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.


    • Acas
    • Alcohol and drug misuse
    • Stress

    Equality Act 2010: Guidance and advice for employers and HR

    by Laura Chamberlain 22 Sep 2010
    by Laura Chamberlain 22 Sep 2010

    Most of the Equality Act 2010 came into force on 1 October 2010 and employers need to make sure they...

    • Alcohol and drug misuse
    • Age discrimination
    • Stress

    Government confirms 1 October implementation of Equality Act

    by Personnel Today 22 Sep 2010
    by Personnel Today 22 Sep 2010

    The Government yesterday confirmed that the main provisions of the Equality Act 2010 will come into force on 1 October...

    • Age discrimination
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Gender reassignment discrimination

    Equality Act: positive action and changes to discrimination law

    by Personnel Today 10 Jun 2010
    by Personnel Today 10 Jun 2010

    The Equality Act aims to let employers use positive action to boost workforce diversity. Daniel Thomas examines that and other...

    • Constructive dismissal
    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    Former archbishop attacks courts over gay counselling ruling

    by Personnel Today 30 Apr 2010
    by Personnel Today 30 Apr 2010

    The former archbishop of Canterbury has attacked a court ruling which held a Christian counsellor was fairly sacked from his...

    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Sexual orientation

    Christian counsellor sacked after refusing to work with gay couples denied appeal

    by Personnel Today 29 Apr 2010
    by Personnel Today 29 Apr 2010

    A Christian counsellor who was sacked after he refused to work with gay couples has been refused permission to appeal....

    • Age discrimination
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Employment law

    Equality Act 2010: six updates for your equal opportunities policy

    by Personnel Today 10 Mar 2010
    by Personnel Today 10 Mar 2010

    For a limited time only, Personnel Today Plus members can access a full model policy on equal opportunities which takes...

    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Employment tribunals

    Discrimination ruling wins gay pub worker thousands in compensation

    by Personnel Today 25 Feb 2010
    by Personnel Today 25 Feb 2010

    A former employee has won thousands of pounds in compensation after a tribunal found owners tried to “de-gay” the pub...

    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • LGBT
    • Sexual orientation discrimination

    Homophobia: Out with homophobia in the workplace

    by Personnel Today 4 Feb 2010
    by Personnel Today 4 Feb 2010

    Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation may be against the law, but many 'out' employees continue to experience homophobia in the workplace. Sophie Hudson investigates.

    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Religious discrimination

    Pope attacks Equality Bill’s stand on gay and transsexual employment rights

    by Kat Baker 2 Feb 2010
    by Kat Baker 2 Feb 2010

    The Pope has attacked the UK’s equality legislation Ð thought to include the government’s new Equality Bill Ð ahead of...

    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Latest News

    Lords reject Equality Bill amendments on employment rights for gay and transsexual people

    by Personnel Today 26 Jan 2010
    by Personnel Today 26 Jan 2010

    The government has been defeated for the third time over provisions in the Equality Bill, which the churches claim would...

    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Employment tribunals

    Case of the week McFarlane v Relate Avon Ltd

    by Personnel Today 4 Jan 2010
    by Personnel Today 4 Jan 2010

    FACTSGary McFarlane joined Relate Avon, which provides relationship counselling services, in 2003. He was required to, and did, sign up...

    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Recruitment & retention

    Discrimination law opt-out on employing homosexuals to go

    by Helen Gilbert 24 Nov 2009
    by Helen Gilbert 24 Nov 2009

    Religious employers are likely to lose the opt-out that enables them to refuse to employ homosexual employees, as the European...

    • Police
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Employment law

    Lesbian police officer sues British Transport Police for sex discrimination

    by Personnel Today 29 Oct 2009
    by Personnel Today 29 Oct 2009

    A lesbian police officer is suing the British Transport Police for sexual discrimination, claiming she was banned from working on...

    • Police
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Latest News

    Police chief’s son apologises for calling all WPCs ‘dykes’

    by Personnel Today 19 Oct 2009
    by Personnel Today 19 Oct 2009

    A chief constable’s son has embarrassed his father by displaying offensive placards at a police training event. Jack McPherson, 17,...

    • Employee relations
    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    ‘Lesbian single-mother Muslim day’ will replace Christmas, paramedic jokes

    by Personnel Today 2 Sep 2009
    by Personnel Today 2 Sep 2009

    A paramedic who allegedly joked that Christmas was to be replaced by “lesbian single-mother Muslim day” is facing a misconduct hearing,...

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