Discrimination and Equality

Isle of Man law provides protection for workers so that they are not discriminated against, harassed or victimised on the basis of certain protected characteristics. 

These protected characteristics are:

• age,
• disability,
• gender reassignment,
• marriage and civil partnership,
• pregnancy and maternity,
• race,
• religion or belief,
• sex; and
• sexual orientation.

Rights also exist to protect pregnant women and those on maternity leave.

Discrimination can be both direct and indirect.  Indirect discrimination occurs where an employer applies an apparently neutral practice which puts workers sharing a protected characteristic at a particular disadvantage.

Part time workers, and often those on limited term contracts, also have the right to be treated the same as full time employees.

If you are disabled then your employer is obliged to make reasonable adjustment for you.  The duty relates to all disabled workers of an employer and to any disabled applicant for employment. What is reasonable will vary according to the circumstances.

It is also fundamental to employment law that you should not be dismissed or subjected to detriment for being a member of a trade union, or for seeking time off to act as a pension trustee or for jury service. If you feel that you have been discriminated against on any of these grounds, or you wish to discuss any other equality issue, contact Chris.