PinkNews brings you the latest in a series of features which sees your real questions answered by leading lawyers at Simpson Millar.

A Simpson Millar solicitor takes you through three examples of discrimination in the workplace and how to fight it if you have experienced them.

Although the Equality Act 2010 protects you against many types of discrimination, including on the grounds of your sexual orientation, this doesn’t stop discrimination from happening – especially in the workplace.

Simpson Millar’s Employment Law expert explains how you can tackle 3 examples of discriminatory treatment in the workplace.

Tackling Bullying And Offensive Comments At Work

When it comes to encouraging diversity, some employers aren’t doing enough.

Homophobic bullying in the workplace is rife, with 1 in 10 LGBT employees revealing that they have been bullied simply because of their sexuality in a recent survey.

Overcoming Bullying

As an example, imagine that one of your colleagues ridicules you everyday because of your sexuality and uses offensive terms when speaking to you.

Although you’ve ignored their comments, they’re now getting on top of you. You’re also anxious about working the same shifts as your colleague and what’s worse is that you feel embarrassed about talking about your partner at work.

Frustrated and upset, you’re not sure what to do.

The reality is that this type of treatment could actually amount to harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation. This is where someone engages in unwanted conduct relating to sexual orientation, which has the purpose or effect of violating your dignity or creating a hostile, degrading or humiliating environment for you.

Being treated like this is unfair and unlawful. Often, people will continue to make comments like this unless they’re challenged by a senior member of staff and it’s made clear that their actions won’t be tolerated.