I'm being victimised for bringing a discrimination complaint. What protection do I have?

What the Law Says

The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for an employer, service provider, or other person covered by the Act to victimise you because you’ve done a 'protected act' — such as making a discrimination complaint.

Victimisation occurs when someone treats you badly (e.g., dismisses you, denies promotion, isolates you, or subjects you to hostile behaviour) because you’ve made or supported a discrimination claim, given evidence, or alleged that someone has broken equality law.

Section 27 applies whether the original discrimination complaint was made formally (e.g., to an employment tribunal or HR) or informally (e.g., raising concerns with a manager), and even if the complaint turns out to be mistaken — as long as it was made in good faith.

You’re also protected if you’re treated badly because someone believes you’ve done a protected act, or because you’re connected to someone who has — for example, supporting a colleague’s complaint.

Statutory Text

A person (A) victimises another person (B) if A subjects B to a detriment because B does a protected act, or because A believes that B has done or may do a protected act.

— Equality Act 2010, s. 27 — Victimisation

What to Do

Sources