This factsheet was last updated in Deember 2011.
These forms of discrimination essentially happen when someone is unfairly disadvantaged for reasons related to their gender or sexuality.
Such discrimination can:
- adversely affect employment opportunities, for example those of women and people who are lesbian, gay or transgender
- result in failure to consider skills-based abilities, potential and experience in the workplace
- result in significant legal costs, compensation and settlements paid to avoid defending expensive discrimination claims.
For convenience, discrimination relating to sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment has been grouped together for this factsheet.
All legislation relating to discrimination is contained within the Equality Act 2010. Within the Equality Act 2010 there are a number of ‘protected characteristics’ which include sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
CIPD members can find out more on the Equality Act 2010 in our factsheet. and more on discrimination law generally in our Discrimination FAQs.