Electra HR

Equality at work · For people at work

Know where you stand. Then ask for what you need.

Plain-English guides to your rights at work, with a focus on women at work: pregnancy, health, pay, flexibility and harassment. Written by a solicitor, free, with no sign-up.

Vanessa Challess, Solicitor, qualified 2003 · Law checked 31 October 2026

Electra HR advises employers. This hub is free information for anyone at work, so that both sides start from the same facts. It is not advice on your own situation: for that, use the free services listed below.

The short answer

What can I do if I think I'm being treated unfairly at work because of who I am?

First check whether it falls within one of the nine protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 (s.4); our checker covers the common grey areas.

Raise it in writing with your employer, usually as a grievance, and keep notes and copies. You are protected from victimisation for complaining (s.27).

Most tribunal claims must be started within six months of what happened, where it happened on or after 1 October 2026, and you must normally contact Acas for early conciliation first (s.123; Employment Tribunals Act 1996 s.18A). Don't wait for an internal process to finish.

Law: Equality Act 2010, s.4; Equality Act 2010, s.27; Equality Act 2010, s.123; Employment Tribunals Act 1996, s.18A

Start here

Is it protected?

Mental health, menopause, neurodivergence, childcare, beliefs: what the Equality Act covers, what it doesn't, and the test that decides it.

Open the checker

Guides for people at work

Each guide has a twin in the employers' hub, so you can see what your employer is being told too.

  • Pregnant at work

    Telling your employer, time off for appointments, your risk assessment and the protected period.

    Being written

  • Maternity leave and pay

    What you get, keeping-in-touch days, holiday while you're off, and going back.

    Being written

  • Mental health at work

    When it counts as a disability and how to ask for what helps.

    Being written

  • Neurodivergent at work: asking for adjustments

    What to ask for, how to ask, and what happens if the answer is no.

    Being written

  • Asking for flexible working

    Your day-one right and how to write the request, with a letter template.

    Being written

  • Menopause at work

    What the law covers and what to ask for.

    Being written

  • Equal pay: your right to talk about pay

    Comparing pay with colleagues and what to do if it isn't equal.

    Being written

  • Sexual harassment at work

    What your employer must do to prevent it and how to raise it.

    Being written

  • Raising a grievance

    How and when to do it, with a letter template.

    Being written

Watch the time limit

If something has gone wrong, most employment tribunal claims, including discrimination, must be started within six months less one day of what happened, where it happened on or after 1 October 2026. Before that date the limit was three months less one day. You must normally contact Acas for early conciliation first, which can extend the deadline. Some claims have shorter limits. Get advice early; don't wait for an internal process to finish.

Law: Equality Act 2010, s.123; Employment Rights Act 2025, Sch 12; Employment Tribunals Act 1996, s.18A; Equality Act 2010, s.140B.

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