Racial Discrimination

It's unlawful for an employer to discriminate against you because of your race. You're protected against racial discrimination at all stages of employment.

What is racial discrimination?
The 1976 Race Relations Act makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against you on racial grounds. Race includes:

- colour
- nationality
- ethnic or national origins

Under the Act, it doesn't matter if the racial discrimination is done on purpose or not. What counts is whether (as a result of an employer's actions) you're treated unfavourably because of your race.

The Race Relations Act protects all racial groups, regardless of their race, colour, nationality, religious beliefs, national or ethnic origins.

The different kinds of racial discrimination at work
The laws against racial discrimination at work cover every part of employment. This includes recruitment, terms and conditions, pay and benefits, status, training, promotion and transfer opportunities, right through to redundancy and dismissal.

The law allows a job to be restricted to people of a particular racial or ethnic group where there is a 'genuine occupational requirement'. An example is where a black actor is needed for a film or television programme.