Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation happens across the country, in organisations large and small. It can be systemic (something that is part of an established ‘culture’ of discrimination, harassment, and bullying), or it can be on a smaller scale - perhaps one person’s prejudice that results in unfair and illegal actions. It can also be unintentional, often in the form of joking or teasing. It is your responsibility to understand the law and do your part to protect against sexual orientation discrimination in your workplace. Doing so makes for a fairer and more diverse workplace. Failing to do so can lead to unhappiness and distress for victims, and serious penalties for offenders and their employers. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. Learning Objectives: • State the meaning of the term ‘sexual orientation’ • Explain how sexual orientation discrimination occurs in the workplace • Recognise examples of sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace • List and describe the legal exceptions to sexual orientation discrimination law