Discrimination - HR Inner Circle

January 7, 2026

We’re serving ‘bin’ sausage rolls today: a reminder of how misconduct dismissal and disability claims really work

The recent Employment Tribunal case of Duffy v LNER was widely reported in the press last week. Mr Duffy, a train hospitality employee, was dismissed by London North Eastern Railway

Discrimination

Family Friendly

November 26, 2025

“Boss, I’m Pregnant”: 5 things employers need to know when dealing with pregnant employees

When an employee informs their employer that they are pregnant, there is an immediate shift in the employment relationship. The employee, from this point onwards, has a special status. Employers

Discrimination

October 8, 2025

Accent discrimination at work: what the law does and doesn’t cover

Under the Equality Act 2010, UK workers are protected from discrimination at work if it relates to one of nine protected characteristics: age, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or

Discrimination

July 16, 2025

When disability and discipline collide: the Gregg Wallace conundrum

Gregg Wallace, the longstanding host of Masterchef, has been banned from working at the BBC after reports of inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment. In a letter of dismissal, the BBC

Wellbeing

Discrimination

June 25, 2025

Inclusive Recruitment: are your hiring practices LGBTQ+ friendly?

As Pride Month invites organisations to reflect on LGBTQ+ inclusion, it’s a timely opportunity for HR professionals to look closely at one of the most influential aspects of workplace culture

Disciplinaries

Discrimination

May 28, 2025

Disability and Misconduct: the HR tightrope and how to walk it

Where an employee is accused of an act of misconduct in the workplace, the role of HR is usually clear and (fairly) straightforward: get an investigation off the ground, consider

Legislation Updates

Discrimination

April 16, 2025

Supreme Court rules that sex in Equality Act 2010 means biological sex – a ‘woman’ does not include a trans woman with a gender recognition certificate

The Supreme Court handed down its highly anticipated judgment in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers yesterday. The Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a trans woman with

Discrimination

February 12, 2025

Higgs v Farmor’s School: a new ‘gloss’ on direct discrimination?

Until recently, direct discrimination was understood as treating someone unfavourably because of a protected characteristic. This type of discrimination could not, except in age discrimination cases, be justified. However, religion

When an Employee Tells You They’re Pregnant

Discrimination

August 1, 2024

What Not To Do When an Employee Tells You They’re Pregnant

A recent case in the employment tribunal shows what not to do when an employee tells you they’re pregnant. Pregnancy is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. This