Equality Claims
Denied Equal Treatment at Work?
Employment equality law guarantees more than protection from discrimination - it gives you the right to equal pay for equal work, a workplace free from harassment, and protection from being punished for asserting those rights. These claims are brought under the Employment Equality Acts and decided by the Workplace Relations Commission.
You may have an equality claim if any of the following apply:
- You are paid less than a colleague doing the same or similar work
- You are experiencing harassment or sexual harassment at work and it has not been dealt with
- You were treated worse after making an equality complaint or supporting a colleague's complaint
- You were denied promotion, training or benefits available to comparable colleagues
- Conditions of your employment differ from colleagues' for no legitimate reason
Time limits apply - complaints must normally be brought within 6 months of the last act complained of.
What You May Be Entitled To
Remedies depend on the claim: equal pay claims can recover up to 3 years of pay arrears, while discrimination and harassment claims can bring compensation of up to 2 years' remuneration - not limited to financial loss. The WRC can also order equal treatment going forward. Many claims settle before ever reaching a hearing.
Employment Equality Solicitor
Expert legal advice on employment equality claims for both employers and employees.
If you’ve experienced discrimination, harassment, or victimisation in the workplace, our Dublin-based employment solicitors can advise you on your rights and the best course of action.
The Employment Equality Acts protect employees from discriminatory treatment across nine prohibited grounds, covering everything from hiring and pay to promotion and dismissal. No minimum period of service is required, meaning even job applicants are protected.
Our Process
1. Assess Your Claim
We review the facts of your case to determine whether discriminatory treatment has occurred on any of the nine protected grounds.
2. Identify the Discrimination
Whether it’s access to employment, conditions of work, pay, training, promotion, or dismissal, we pinpoint exactly where your employer has breached equality law.
3. Raise It With Your Employer
We recommend giving your employer an opportunity to address the issue through internal grievance procedures before escalating.
4. Take Formal Action
If the matter isn’t resolved, we bring a claim on your behalf to the Workplace Relations Commission for adjudication.
Evaluate & Improvement
Discrimination under the Employment Equality Acts is broadly defined, it occurs where a person is treated less favourably than another person in a comparable situation on any of the protected grounds. This includes discrimination that existed in the past or may exist in the future.
The courts also recognise multiple or combined discrimination, such as claims based on both race and gender together.
A successful claim typically requires a comparator, someone in a similar role who was treated more favourably. Where no actual comparator exists, the Labour Court has allowed reliance on a hypothetical comparator, though demonstration of discrimination on each ground alleged is still required.
YOUR RIGHTS
Protection from discrimination across nine grounds including gender, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, family status, and civil status,
WHAT'S COVERED
Access to employment, pay, conditions, training, promotion, regrading, and dismissal, including constructive dismissal on protected grounds.
YOUR OPTIONS
From internal grievance resolution to a formal claim at the Workplace Relations Commission, we guide you through every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is employment equality law in Ireland?
The Employment Equality Acts provide broad protection against discriminatory treatment in the workplace. Protection applies from the earliest stage of the employment relationship and covers all aspects of employment.
- Nine prohibited grounds: gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, and membership of the Traveller community
- No minimum service period required
- Protection applies from the job application stage
- Covers access to employment, pay, conditions, training, promotion, and dismissal
What is discriminatory treatment?
Discrimination occurs where a person is treated less favourably than another person in a comparable situation on any of the protected grounds. The courts also recognise claims based on multiple or combined grounds, such as race and gender together.
- Direct discrimination – less favourable treatment on a protected ground
- Indirect discrimination: a neutral policy that disproportionately affects a protected group
- Harassment and victimisation are also covered
- Includes instructions to discriminate issued by an employer
How do I bring an employment equality claim?
A successful equality claim generally requires a comparator, someone in a similar position who was treated more favourably. The selection of comparator is one of the most important factors in determining the outcome of a claim.
- The comparator must be in a genuinely comparable situation
- Cannot be selected out of context with other employees
- Where no actual comparator exists, a hypothetical comparator may be used
- Discrimination must still be demonstrated on each ground alleged
Gather More Information
Employers should be given an opportunity to address the issue through internal procedures before a formal complaint is made. If the matter is not resolved, a claim can be brought to the Workplace Relations Commission.
- Internal grievance procedures should be followed first
- Claims are brought to the Workplace Relations Commission for adjudication
- Expert legal representation strengthens your prospects
- Comparator selection and burden of proof are often the key battlegrounds
Do You Have a Case?
90% of our clients' claims succeed. Get a straight answer on where you stand.
Get In TouchTime limits apply to most employment claims.
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Straight answers, in three steps
Most people have never needed a solicitor before. Here is exactly what happens when you contact us.
Tell Us What Happened
Send the form or call us. We listen, ask the right questions, and give you a straight answer on whether you have a case worth pursuing.
Agree The Plan Of Action
We set out exactly how your case will run and what to expect at each stage, all agreed in writing before anything begins. WRC claims usually must be lodged within six months, so we move quickly.
We Pursue Your Claim
Negotiation first, then the WRC, Labour Court or civil courts if needed. Most of our clients settle without ever facing a hearing.