Discrimination at work: Understand your rights and take action
Being treated less favourably at work because of who you are is deeply upsetting and can leave you feeling powerless, isolated or even pushed out of your job. Whether it is because of your race, gender, age, disability, religion, or another protected characteristic, this kind of discrimination is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.
At Valla, we help you take action without needing a solicitor. You can raise a grievance, gather your evidence, and make a legal claim using our step-by-step tools, all designed to help you feel in control, supported and ready to stand up for your rights.
Take action against discrimination at work
- Free account to access document templates and legal tools
- Legal case review (Merits Assessment) for £149
- ET1 Tribunal support from £96
- Grievance letter and case-building templates included with paid accounts
Ask a UK legal expert about discrimination at work
Find out where you stand with the discrimination issues you're dealing with at work. Talk to a UK legal expert to understand if your issue has potential legal claims, so you can make a plan to resolve it.
What is Discrimination and Why It Matters
What is age discrimination?
Discrimination at work happens when you are treated unfairly or put at a disadvantage because of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
This can include:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
Direct Discrimination
This is when you are treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic.
Example: You are not shortlisted for a promotion because of your age, or you are dismissed because you are pregnant.
Indirect Discrimination
This is when a workplace policy or practice applies to everyone, but it disadvantages a group with a particular characteristic.
Example: A company requires all staff to work weekends, which indirectly discriminates against people with religious observance on those days.
Harassment
Harassment is unwanted behaviour related to a protected characteristic that makes you feel intimidated, degraded or offended. This could be comments, jokes, gestures or physical conduct.
Example: Repeated jokes about someone's disability, appearance or religious dress could be harassment under the law.
Victimisation
Victimisation is when you are treated badly because you made a complaint of discrimination or helped someone else do so.
Example: You are excluded from meetings or given fewer hours after raising a discrimination grievance.
Discrimination can affect your income, confidence, and mental health. But you do not have to accept it. Valla gives you the tools to take action with support every step of the way.
Failure to make reasonable adjustments
Failure to make reasonable adjustments is a type of discrimination that you can be affected by if you are disabled. It happens when your employer does not take reasonable steps to remove or reduce substantial disadvantages that you face compared with people who are not disabled.
Example: You are a wheelchair user and your desk is unsuitable for you to use when having consultations with customers. Your employer fails to adjust the seating and working arrangements, for example by installing a new desk.
Discrimination arising from disability
Discrimination arising from disability is when your employer treats you unfavourably because of something arising in consequence of your disability, and the treatment cannot be justified as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.
Example: you are visually impaired and your employer does not promote you because you cannot do as much work as a non-disabled colleague. The employer is unable to justify this as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.
Take action against discrimination in 5 Steps
You do not need a lawyer to start challenging discrimination at work. Valla helps you take practical steps with legal tools designed for people representing themselves.
Step 1: Record what is missing
Log incidents in your Valla timeline. Include details such as dates, times, what was said or done, and who was involved.
Step 2: Gather evidence
Upload emails, messages, meeting notes, policies, or witness statements. The clearer your evidence, the stronger your case.
Step 3: Raise a grievance
Use Valla’s discrimination grievance letter template to file a formal complaint with your employer.
Step 4: Try ACAS Early Conciliation
Before you can go to Tribunal, you must complete ACAS Early Conciliation or move forward with settlement. This is a free process to try to resolve the issue without going to court.
Step 5: Submit a Tribunal claim
If the problem is not resolved, Valla helps you complete and submit your ET1 claim form. Our templates and legal coaching give your case the best chance of success.
Valla gives you a clear way to take action. We help you document what has happened, raise a formal grievance, and if needed, start a Tribunal claim to get your money back.
Why use Valla for discrimination claims
If you are dealing with discrimination at work, you may feel unsure where to begin or whether you have a strong case. Valla gives you clarity, structure and support, without the high cost of a solicitor.
What you get with Valla:
What people say about Valla
“I knew I was being treated unfairly, but I didn’t know what to do. Valla helped me raise a grievance and feel confident in the process.”
- Jodie, Brighton
Frequently Asked Questions about discrimination at work
What is classed as discrimination at work?
Discrimination is when you are treated badly because of a protected characteristic, such as race, sex, age, or disability.
What are the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010?
They are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
What is direct discrimination?
This is when someone is treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic. For example, being dismissed because you are a Muslim.
What is indirect discrimination?
This happens when a policy or rule applies to everyone but disadvantages people with a particular characteristic. For example, requiring all staff to work Saturdays could disadvantage some religious groups.
What counts as harassment at work?
Unwanted behaviour that is related to a protected characteristic and makes you feel intimidated, offended or humiliated.
What is victimisation?
Victimisation is when you are treated unfairly because you complained about discrimination or supported someone else who did.
Can I raise a grievance for discrimination?
Yes. A formal grievance is one of the first steps you can take to report the issue and request that your employer investigates it.
How long do I have to take legal action?
You usually have three months less one day to begin ACAS Early Conciliation. If you’ve missed that deadline for some older incidents, you may be able to argue they are connected to the most recent incidents and form part of a ‘continuing act’.
Can I get compensation if I win my case?
Yes. Compensation can include injury to feelings, loss of income and other related losses.
Do I need a solicitor to make a discrimination claim?
No. With Valla, you can manage your own case using our legal tools and support, including expert reviews and document templates.
Stand up to discrimination at work with Valla
You should never be treated unfairly at work because of your identity. If you are facing discrimination, harassment or victimisation, Valla gives you the structure, support and tools to take action with confidence.
Our templates, guides and legal coaching are here to help you build your case, and be taken seriously.