Carers discrimination

What is carers discrimination?

Carers discrimination is against the law at work.

It is when you have been treated less favourably than somebody else because of your responsibilities as a carer.

The law protects people who support or care for:

• their child (including a stepchild, adopted child or foster child)
  
• a child or adult for whom they are a guardian
  
• a family member.
  

Indirect discrimination is also against the law. This is when there is a rule or requirement that is the same for everyone but unfairly affects people who have responsibilities as a carer, and is not reasonable in the circumstances.

In what areas is carers discrimination against the law?

Carers discrimination is against the law in:

• workplaces, such as when you apply for a job or while you are at work
• employment agencies, such as when you use recruitment companies
• industrial organisations, such as membership of a union
• qualifying bodies, such as an institute that issues qualifications.

What can I do if I experience carers discrimination? 

If you think that you have experienced carers discrimination, you can try speaking to the person or organisation responsible to express how you feel. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, or if it isn’t appropriate, you can contact us to make a complaint of discrimination.

If you are unsure if you have experienced carers discrimination or need more information, you can contact our enquiry service. 

Complaint case studies