Race Discrimination

Race discrimination can take many forms and may be physical, verbal or non verbal.  It could consist of racial banter or innuendoes, racial remarks or jokes, racially offensive material transmitted by e-mail, bullying on racial grounds, calling someone a nickname linked to his or her nationality or skin colour.

Under the Race Relations Act 1976 it is unlawful to discriminate against any person or subject them to unfavourable treatment on the grounds of race, nationality (including British Citizenship), ethnic and national origins. The phrase on racial grounds can refer not only to the racial group of the person claiming discrimination, but also to the race of the perpetrator and indeed, any third party for example, a close relative of the employee. Over and above direct and indirect discrimination, victimisation and harassment, it is unlawful to segregate employees of one racial group from those of another group, irrespective of the particular motive for doing so.

Under this Act, there is a general provision that it is lawful for an employer to insist on recruiting someone from a particular racial group in circumstances where race is a genuine occupational requirement for the job in question, for example, an actor required in a dramatic performance or other entertainment where someone of a particular racial group is required for reasons of authenticity.