Sex discrimination involves treating someone unfavorably because of that person’s sex. The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. It is unlawful to harass a person based on his/her sex, and harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. One such law that recognizes the gravity of sex discrimination was the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 was passed in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It protected women and men from discrimination on the grounds of sex and marital status. It concerned employment, training, education, harassment, the provision of goods and services, and the disposal of premises. It was an Act to render unlawful certain kinds of sex discrimination and discrimination on the ground of marriage, and establish a Commission with the function of working towards the elimination of such discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity between men and women generally, and for related purposes.
The act applied to the following categories:
- Direct and indirect discrimination against women
- 2 Sex discrimination against men.
- 2A“Discrimination on the grounds of gender reassignment.”
- 3 Discrimination against married persons and civil partners in the employment field
- 3ADiscrimination on the ground of pregnancy or maternity leave
- 3BDiscrimination on the ground of pregnancy or maternity: goods, facilities, services or premises
- 4 Discrimination by way of victimization.
- 4AHarassment, including sexual harassment
- 5 Interpretation.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 has dealt with sexual discrimination at all kinds of workplace, education, goods, facilities, and premises and also includes a list of unlawful acts. The law has been amended thence but it laid the groundwork for stringent laws, action, and enforcement. The thought that you can be a victim of sexual discrimination just because of your sex can be very unnerving. But it is because of laws like these that we can contemplate appropriate action if the situation may arise.
Read more: SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY