Racial Discrimination

• 01. Introduction

• You don't have to put up with discrimination or harassment because of the colour of your skin, or your ethnic group. There are powerful laws to stop this happening. This leaflet explains your legal rights, and what to do if you are discriminated...

• 02. When discrimination can happen

• Discrimination happens when someone is treated worse ('less favourably' in legal terms) than another person in the same situation. This leaflet deals with your rights if you are discriminated against because of your: race; colour; nationality;...

• 03. What the law says

• The Race Relations Act 1976 protects you against racial discrimination and harassment. It also gives you the right to challenge unfair treatment in the courts or at an employment tribunal. The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 extends the original Act....

• 04. Discrimination at work

• It's unlawful for an employer to discriminate against you because of your race, when choosing someone for a job, and when deciding which staff will be: promoted; given benefits at work, such as training; dismissed; or made redundant. The...

• 05. Racial harassment

• The law protects you against Racial harassment at work. Racial harassment at work is unwanted behaviour of a racial nature (not just racist abuse) by other employees which creates an intimidating, hostile or humiliating atmosphere. If the person harassing...

• 06. Discrimination when renting or buying a house or flat

• It's unlawful for someone to discriminate against you because of your race when they are selling or letting property. So a landlord cannot, for example, refuse to let a house to a black person because of their colour. It is also unlawful for a landlord to...

• 07. Discrimination at school or college

• The Race Relations Act says that a school or college must not discriminate against you or your child, for example: when choosing who to admit; when deciding whether to exclude a pupil or student; and in the way pupils or students are treated. ...

• 08. Discrimination when buying goods or services

• It is unlawful for organisations to racially discriminate against you in the 'goods, facilities and services' they provide. This means refusing a service to you because of your race, or deliberately not providing it on the same terms and of the same quality....

• 09. Discrimination because of your religious beliefs

• The Race Relations Act does not protect you from discrimination which is just because of your religion. However, you may be able to bring a claim under the Act if the discrimination is because of your national or ethnic origin, as well as your religion (for...

• 10. What can you do about discrimination

• If you have been discriminated against, first think about what you want to be done. Depending on how you were discriminated against, you may want: your job back; compensation; an apology; or a clear sign that an organisation won't discriminate...

• 11. Going to an employment tribunal

• If you want to make a complaint under the Race Relations Act, you must send your complaint either on form ET1 or in a letter to the Regional Office of Employment Tribunals. You can get this form from: jobcentres; or the Commission for Racial...

• 12. Going to court

• If you want to take a case to court, you must start your case within six months minus one day from when you first knew about the discrimination. The court can give you copies of the claim form N1 and more information about procedures. How will I pay for...

• 13. The Human Rights Act

• The Human Rights Act 1998 has a wide-ranging discrimination provision which includes types of discrimination that are not covered in other discrimination laws. However, it can be used only with one of the other 'articles' (the specific principles) of the...

• 14. Further Help

• Citizens Advice Bureau (CABx) Your local CABx is listed in the phone book. The website of Citizens Advice Bureau (CABx) Commission for Racial Equality Phone: 020 7828 7022 The website of Commission for Racial Equality ...