What Are Your Employment Rights?

Originally written by Beth Morrisey, updated by the editorial team on 2nd April 2026

A variety of legislation protects the employment rights of all workers in the United Kingdom. Below you will find information on the main legislation protecting employees against discrimination based on age, ability, race, religion and sex.

Age

Age discrimination is a relatively new concept but there is legislation that protects workers from unfair treatment due to their age. Age discrimination in employment is now covered by the Equality Act 2010, which replaced the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006. The Equality Act 2010 protects people of all ages from age discrimination in employment, not just those aged 50 and over. Employment equality for younger workers is dealt with in other legislation.

Ability

Discrimination against individuals with disabilities is also illegal in the United Kingdom. The Equality Act 2010 is the main piece of legislation that deals with disability discrimination. This Act outlaws discrimination based on disability in the areas of employment, education, access to goods, facilities and services and in relation to land and property. This Act also requires public bodies to promote equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of ability, and it addresses the issue of equal access to public transportation by setting minimum standards for ease of use of all passengers. The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 amends and extends the DDA, and the Mental Health Act of 1983 protects the rights of individuals with learning disabilities and/or mental health concerns.

Race

The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from being discriminated against in employment on the grounds of colour, race, nationality, religious beliefs or ethnicity. This Act does not distinguish between whether racist practices were done on purpose, it is concerned only with whether or not racial discrimination occurred. Four main types of discrimination are recognised in relation to employment. Direct discrimination is deliberate and obvious. Indirect discrimination occurs when practices of policies disadvantage one or more racial groups. Harassment occurs when the workplace is allowed to become a hostile environment. Finally, victimisation occurs when someone has complained about discrimination and is then treated less fairly than others.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Religion

The Equality Act 2010 is the main piece of legislation protecting the religious rights of all employees in the United Kingdom, prohibiting discrimination in employment or vocational training due to religion or belief. Though there is no particular list of religions or beliefs that are included in UK legislation, most major world religions and minority belief systems are recognised for the purposes of these documents. Questions about what constitutes a religion or belief are settled by Employment Tribunal.

Sex

A variety of laws work to provide equal rights to males and females in the United Kingdom. The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from being discriminated against in employment, vocational training, education, the provision and sale of goods, facilities and services, premises and the exercise of public functions due to their sex/gender. The Equality Act 2010 mandates equal pay for equal work regardless of an individual's sex/gender. The Equality Act 2010 protects the rights of individuals who intend to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment. These Regulations pertain to pay and treatment in employment, self-employment and vocational training.

The rights of all workers are protected under UK legislation in relation to discrimination based on age, ability, race, religion and sex. For further information on any of the above topics, visit a professional solicitor or visit a Citizens Advice Bureau.

13 questions

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Ed Editor 25/09/2015 at 12:46 pm

@Jamesmegus - your company can if the contract says it can. The yard operatives may be employed via a different company, or on a different contract.

jamesmegus 24/09/2015 at 3:10 pm

My company give private health care to every employee within the group approx 180 however one group of Yard Operatives approx 40 of them are excluded cause they work in the yard. Can Peri Ltd do this?

Lonelyworker 22/04/2015 at 12:50 pm

I am fortunate to be frequently mistaken for a person considerably younger than I am so have witnessed even more age discrimination - particularly, but by no means exclusively, in the public sector - than if they had realised that I was older.
Many people I know personally have been in a group of 50+ year old healthy committed workers who have been made redundant after 'some reorganisation' prior to then recruiting less experienced workers 'on contract'.
A significant number of commercial sector 'victims' we on final salary schemes so will then have little choice but to rely on state benefits to an extent not previously envisaged. But as usual our policy makers are ignorant of the way the values behind these laws are being flouted every day.

Kathy Editor 17/03/2015 at 10:31 am

@Burnie1980 - good that you have decided to get this investigated as this does sound unfair.

Burnie1980 13/03/2015 at 9:30 pm

My fiancée works at a restaurant. She has done for 5 years and has progressed from waitress to Duty Manager. A promotion opportunity arose but she was not informed or interviewed whereas another colleague was and then given the job. The other colleague was male, less experienced and doesn't have any dependants. My fiancée has asked for an investigation.

wills 10/06/2014 at 4:01 pm

Why are some sites allowed to advertise jobs, but you can only view paid jobs if you pay a membership? Is this not discrimination against people who can not afford to pay these membership fees?
So only people with money can apply.

cheryl1976 22/03/2014 at 1:28 pm

I am applying for a job and they are asking for a medical history including any medication i am taking, have i ever suffered from depression? Also asking to access my medical records via my gp....is this allowed??

winner 12/04/2013 at 9:57 am

I applied for an internal post but was not informed of interview. The application was received and confirmed. Another candidate was appointed and my emails regarding feedback on application remain unanswered

Deebee 06/12/2012 at 9:43 pm

I'm writing on behalf of my auntie she had a job interveiw where I used to work she was basically told by the duty manger she wasn't going to get the job because me and my old manger had abit of an argument before I left and it left abit of an atmosphere and because she was my auntie the manager didn't process her application to head office, however the manager gave her an interveiw which was weird. Anyway the interveiw went ahead in the store room on a cardboard box and the manager left halfway through to have a ciggerette and basically she didn't take my auntie seriously at all. All the other candidates were interviewed correctly so I can't help but think she was discriminated against. Two weeks went by without hearing off the manger only to hear they have employed somebody else no phone call was made to my auntie to say she was unsuccessfull and for the two weeks she was waiting she was constantly being told they were reviewing the job and would get back too her what rights will she have and how can we go about taking this further ?

Mikeb 02/12/2012 at 12:35 pm

Could you tell why a majority of Asian shops in the high street
Such as news agents supermarkets off liciences and post offices
Won't employ white people ? I have done my research
And about 99% only employ Asians ?.isnt this descrimination or
a conspiracy why hasn't the equal opportunity committee
Stepped in and said hold on this isn't fair you need to
Employ some white people ?.can we have an answer please ?

Pixie Hyde 29/08/2012 at 10:22 am

Can an Islamic based school insist on female employees wearing a head covering? The school will be enrolling half non muslim pupils and non muslim staff as well as muslim staff.

I.Mustaphasheet 10/05/2011 at 1:42 pm

I think racism still comes into play when getting a job, some places will not employ black or asian individuals. Whereas some will not employ whites in fear of being named a racist. I also agree with the above comment.

kaz 23/03/2011 at 6:44 pm

There appears to be equal opportunities in the workplace for individuals with a disability however no equal opportunities in the workplace for cares of disabled individuals who want to work however are limited in hours due to their care role commitments.

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