15 Equal Opportunities
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2. When discrimination can happen
5. Transgender people
If you have had ‘gender reassignment’ (often called a sex change), you have some legal protection against discrimination. The Sex Discrimination Act was changed in 1999 to protect transgender people against direct discrimination and harassment in employment and work training. But these regulations don’t cover housing, education or services.
The Act covers anyone who plans to go through, is going through, or has gone through gender reassignment. If you are discriminated against for one of these reasons, you will have a claim under the Sex Discrimination Act. Employers should not discriminate when choosing people for a job or for dismissal. Also, for example, an employer should allow you time off work for treatment connected with gender reassignment in the same way they would for other kinds of necessary medical treatment. And if other employees harass you because of your gender reassignment, your employer must stop the harassment.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission has a guide ‘Sex Equality and Transexualism’, which deals in detail with this kind of discrimination, including examples of case decisions.
6. Discrimination because you are gay or lesbian
7. Discrimination because of your religion or beliefs
8. Discrimination because of your age
9. What you can do about discrimination
10. Dealing with discrimination at work
11. Going to an employment tribunal
12. Dealing with other types of discrimination
This leaflet was published by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). It was written in association with Sara Leslie
Leaflet Version: December 2007