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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.


    • Employment law
    • Compensation
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    Lesbian couple awarded more than £22,000 for discrimination and unfair dismissal

    by Louisa Peacock 9 Jul 2009
    by Louisa Peacock 9 Jul 2009

    A lesbian couple who were “humiliated” by sexual jokes at work have won more than £22,000 in compensation. Saleswomen Beth...

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

    Friday Podcast: Dual discrimination claims; no-win no-fee lawyer regulations; Personnel Today Power Players list

    by Rob Moss 3 Jul 2009
    by Rob Moss 3 Jul 2009

    HR news and analysis including:

    the Equality Bill amendment to allow dual discrimination cases;
    how regulating no-win no-fee lawyers would...

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

    Gay rights vs religious ones under the Equality Bill

    by Ross Bentley 1 Jul 2009
    by Ross Bentley 1 Jul 2009

    It looks as if religious bodies will have very few options when it comes to refusing to employ gay men and women in non-core roles. Ross Bentley looks at how this clash of ideologies will play out.

    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Marriage and civil partnership discrimination
    • Race discrimination

    Equalities : is there a pecking order?

    by Personnel Today 5 May 2009
    by Personnel Today 5 May 2009

    Are some equalities more equal than others? Equality laws may have created a pecking order of competing equalities where clashes can occur

    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Maternity

    Lesbian partners may get Euro paternity rights

    by John Charlton 1 May 2009
    by John Charlton 1 May 2009

    European MPs will vote later this month on whether both partners in a lesbian couple should be entitled to maternity...

    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Marriage and civil partnership discrimination
    • Race discrimination

    Legal dilemma: discrimination rights

    by tom walker 23 Apr 2009
    by tom walker 23 Apr 2009

    A person of strong religious faith has asked me, the HR manager, if she can be moved from a workstation...

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

    Christian suspended for airing views on homosexuality

    by John Charlton 22 Apr 2009
    by John Charlton 22 Apr 2009

    Charity worker David Booker faces an internal investigation today after he was suspended from his job at a Christian hostel...

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

    Discrimination by association clause incorporated in Equality Bill

    by John Charlton 3 Apr 2009
    by John Charlton 3 Apr 2009

    Equalities minister Harriet Harman’s Equality Bill will, if enacted, extend the law on direct discrimination to include discrimination by association...

    • Bullying and harassment
    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    Microsoft sued by games designer over alleged homophobic taunts

    by Kat Baker 25 Mar 2009
    by Kat Baker 25 Mar 2009

    A video games designer is to sue Microsoft for £45,000 after allegedly suffering homophobic taunts.Jamie Durrant, who designs Xbox 360...

    • Sexual harassment
    • Employment law
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    Gay worker wins £62,525 for sexual discrimination and harassment

    by Lindsay Clark 20 Feb 2009
    by Lindsay Clark 20 Feb 2009

    Courts have awarded a gay man £62,525 in compensation after a former colleague jiggled her breasts at him and persistently...

    • Sexual harassment
    • Case law
    • Employment law

    Gay banter against heterosexual ruling

    by Sandra Wallace 16 Jan 2009
    by Sandra Wallace 16 Jan 2009

    English v Thomas Sanderson LtdFACTS Stephen English worked for Thomas Sanderson Ltd, a supplier of blinds, between 1996 and 2005....

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

    Sexual orientation strategy is key to Lloyds TSB Stonewall survey win

    by Greg Pitcher 12 Jan 2009
    by Greg Pitcher 12 Jan 2009

    The group chief executive of Lloyds TSB has paid tribute to the bank’s sexual orientation strategy after it was named...

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

    Friday podcast: Awards 2008, discrimination by association, and “fit notes”

    by Louisa Peacock 28 Nov 2008
    by Louisa Peacock 28 Nov 2008

    HR news and analysis, including:

    Find out who was the overall winner at Personnel Today’s glittering awards ceremony  on 27...

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

    Sex discrimination soldier seeks £400,000 from MoD

    by Guy Logan 23 Sep 2008
    by Guy Logan 23 Sep 2008

    A lesbian soldier who is claiming nearly half a million pounds in compensation from the Ministry of Defence has returned...

    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Ethics
    • Latest News

    MI5 recruits gay lobbyist Stonewall to target homosexual candidates for spying roles

    by Louisa Peacock 18 Aug 2008
    by Louisa Peacock 18 Aug 2008

    Intelligence service MI5 has teamed up with a gay lobby group to actively recruit more homosexual staff, it has emerged.The...

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Personnel Today
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