Sex Discrimination

Discrimination on the ground of sex was the first form of discrimination to be made unlawful in the employment field. As with other forms of unlawful discrimination there are two types of sex discrimination – direct discrimination and indirect discrimination.

Direct sex discrimination is fairly easy to spot – ‘Barmaid wanted’, but indirect sex discrimination, where an unnecessary requirement puts one sex at a disproportionate disadvantage compared to the opposite sex, is sometimes less easy to spot, although some are obvious – ‘Bar person wanted – must look good in a mini skirt’.

Many employers have been caught out, sometimes innocently, by the indirect discrimination legislation, such as the employer who, because of the height of the conveyors and Health & Safety fears, had a height restriction of 5’10” for conveyor belt operatives.

Two tall unsuccessful male job applicants won Employment Tribunal claims for indirect sex discrimination, as the height restriction disproportionately affected males, and the conveyor belts could have been raised!

We currently provide fixed cost compliance solutions for over 6,000 clients across the UK.

If you would like to arrange for one of our local Business Development Managers to explain how
our services can safeguard your business, please click on the "Call Me Back" button to arrange an appointment.

<< Back to Personnel and Employment Law

Operating throughout the UK with experts on Employment Law on hand in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff, Citation have emerged as one of the United Kingdom’s leading health and safety and employment law consultancies.

Citation specialises in providing fixed cost employment law compliance packages to over 6000 organisations nationally. Citation has been the recipient of a number of Business Awards including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and is proud of its contribution towards a safe and fair business environment whilst at the same time relieving the burden of regulatory compliance from its clients.