Racial Discrimination at Work

Legal Support for Victims of Racial Discrimination in the Workplace

At The Jonathan Lea Network, we support both employees and employers navigating issues of racial discrimination in the workplace. We represent individuals seeking justice after facing unlawful treatment, and also advise employers aiming to ensure compliance, to investigate complaints thoroughly, or resolve disputes effectively.

Whether you’ve been denied opportunities, treated unfairly, or subjected to offensive comments because of your race — or you’re an employer responding to such concerns within your organisation — our employment solicitors are here to support you every step of the way.

Discrimination based on race is both unethical and unlawful under the Equality Act 2010. If you’ve experienced this kind of treatment or if you have witnessed it — or received reports of it — within your organisation, we can help you seek justice, resolution, and compliance.

What Is Race Discrimination?

Race discrimination involves treating someone unfairly because of their:

• Race
• Ethnic origin
• Nationality
• Skin colour

This protection also extends to discrimination by perception (e.g. if someone assumes your race or ethnicity) and by association (e.g. if you are treated differently because of your connection with someone of a particular race or nationality).

The law applies to all aspects of employment—from recruitment and interviews to promotions, disciplinary action, redundancy, and dismissal.

We help employers understand their legal obligations and ensure their policies and practices are aligned with the Equality Act 2010 to prevent and address racial discrimination.

Types of Race Discrimination

Direct Discrimination

Occurs when someone is treated less favourably specifically because of their race.

A Black employee is consistently passed over for promotions in favour of less experienced white colleagues.

Employers should review their promotion, appraisal, and disciplinary frameworks to ensure they are objective and fair across all racial groups.

Indirect Discrimination

Happens when a workplace policy or practice applies to everyone but disproportionately disadvantages people from a particular racial group.

Example: Requiring all employees to speak only English at all times in the workplace, even when unnecessary, could disadvantage bilingual or multilingual staff from ethnic minorities.

Employers must regularly assess policies or criteria that may have a disproportionate impact on employees from different racial backgrounds, even if unintentionally.

Harassment

Unwanted behaviour related to race that violates someone’s dignity or creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive work environment.

Examples:

• Racist jokes or slurs
• Offensive stereotyping
• Racially charged emails or messages

We assist employers with implementing effective anti-harassment policies and investigating complaints lawfully and sensitively.

Victimisation

Being treated badly because you made a complaint about race discrimination or supported someone else’s complaint.

Example: After supporting a colleague’s grievance about racial discrimination, your responsibilities are reduced or your promotion is withdrawn.

Employers must be vigilant not to retaliate against employees who raise or support complaints — we help organisations conduct fair internal processes.

Examples of Race Discrimination We Help Address

Whether you’re an employee experiencing mistreatment, or an employer dealing with internal complaints or cultural concerns, we provide legal guidance to resolve the situation appropriately.

Employee examples:

• You’re consistently excluded from training, promotions, or pay rises offered to others
• A manager makes repeated racially insensitive remarks or jokes
• You are disciplined more harshly than colleagues of a different race for similar conduct
• You’re denied progression due to concerns about how clients or customers may react to your ethnicity
• A recruiter rejects your application based on your name, accent or country of origin
• You’re forced to leave your job due to a toxic work environment fuelled by racist behaviour

Employer examples:

• You’ve received an internal complaint alleging racial bias and require legal support to investigate and respond properly
• You want to audit or update your policies and training programmes to reduce the risk of racial discrimination claims
• You’re facing an Employment Tribunal claim and need strategic advice and representation

If you’re affected by any of the above, we can assess your legal position and guide you through your next steps.

Your Legal Rights

Under the Equality Act 2010, you are legally protected against racial discrimination at all stages of employment, including:

• Recruitment
• Employment terms and conditions
• Promotions and transfers
• Training opportunities
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures
• Redundancy and dismissal

You are entitled to bring a claim regardless of your role, contract type or length of service.

For employers, understanding these rights is essential to managing teams fairly, avoiding liability, and creating inclusive, legally compliant working environments. We help draft compliant policies, handle grievances, and navigate complex disputes.

What to Do If You’re Being Racially Discriminated Against at Work

If you believe you’ve been discriminated against based on race, consider the following steps:

1. Keep a record – Document what was said or done, when, and who was involved. Save emails, messages, or notes.
2. Raise concerns internally – If safe, speak to your manager or HR department.
3. Submit a formal grievance – Use your employer’s grievance procedure to raise a formal complaint.
4. Contact our team – Our legal experts can advise you on your rights, the strength of your claim, and the best next steps.

⏳ Time limit: You have three months less one day from the last discriminatory act to begin an Employment Tribunal claim—so don’t delay.

For employers, early legal advice is essential to manage internal complaints fairly and legally. We can help you carry out investigations, respond to grievances, and resolve disputes before they escalate.

How We Can Help Employees and Employers

Support for Employees

• Reviewing your situation and advising on your legal position
• Drafting grievance letters and correspondence with your employer
• Negotiating settlement agreements and severance terms
• Representing you at Employment Tribunals and in court proceedings
• Advising on linked claims, such as constructive dismissal or victimisation

Whether you want to remain in your role or seek a clean exit, we’ll help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Support for Employers

• Advising on how to handle internal complaints or grievances
• Investigating allegations of racial discrimination sensitively and lawfully
• Drafting and reviewing workplace policies and procedures
• Delivering training sessions to managers and teams
• Representing employers in Employment Tribunal proceedings
• Advising on settlement negotiations and reputational risks

Why Choose The Jonathan Lea Network?

✅ Experienced employment law team with a focus on discrimination claims
✅ Clear, supportive legal advice that puts your interests first
✅ Strong track record in securing compensation and accountability
✅ Flexible fee structures, including fixed-fee consultations
✅ Discreet, remote consultations available nationwide
✅ Trusted by both individuals and organisations to resolve complex race discrimination matters sensitively and lawfully

We act for employees across all sectors—from finance, law and education to tech, retail and healthcare. Our clients include junior staff, senior executives, and directors alike.

Contact Us Today

Whether you’ve experienced race discrimination or need help managing an internal complaint or claim, we’re here to support you. Our expert solicitors will guide you toward a fair, compliant, and effective resolution.

📞 Call us on: [01444 708 640]
📧 Email: wewillhelp@jonathanlea.net
📩 Or submit an enquiry via our Contact Form