Yes. The Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended) makes it unlawful to treat a person less favourably than others on racial grounds.

Race discrimination covers all terms and conditions of employment – from recruitment to pay, and training to the termination of a contract.

Race discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably on grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin.

All terms and conditions of employment are covered. It also includes applying a 'provision, criterion or practice' which, although it applies to everyone equally, disproportionately disadvantages workers of a particular racial group compared to another and which the employer cannot show is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. Such an example could be a requirement for all applicants to have GCSE Maths and English – people educated in countries which don't' have GCSEs would be discriminated against. Could correct this by including the words "or equivalent".

In very limited circumstances, there are some jobs which can require that the job-holder is of a particular racial group. This is known as a 'genuine occupational requirement'. One example is where the job-holder provides personal welfare services to a limited number of people and those services can most effectively be provided by a person of a particular racial group because of cultural needs and sensitivities.

If you feel you've been discriminated against, you'll be able to bring a claim to an Employment Tribunal. However, it's best to talk to your employer first to try to sort out the matter informally, in order to minimise the negative effects on all parties involved.

Through the Acas Helpline (08457 47 47 47) you can get advice on specific problems, and explore alternatives to an Employment Tribunal claim, such as mediation or Pre-Claim Conciliation, where appropriate

Yes. The Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended) makes it illegal to treat a person less favourably than others on racial grounds.

Race discrimination covers all aspects of employment – from recruitment to pay, and training to the termination of a contract.

Discrimination covers four areas:

1. direct discrimination: treating someone less favourably on racial grounds
2. indirect discrimination: can occur where it appears that all workers are treated the same, regardless of race but where it becomes apparent that workers of a particular racial group suffer or are likely more likely to suffer a disadvantage.
3. harassment: when unwanted conduct has the purpose or effect of  violating a person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading or humiliating environment for another person.
4. victimisation: unfair treatment of an employee who has made a complaint about racial discrimination.

In very limited circumstances, there are some jobs which can require that the job-holder is of a particular racial group. This is known as a 'genuine occupational requirement'. One example is where the job-holder provides personal welfare services to a limited number of people and those services can most effectively be provided by a person of a particular racial group because of cultural needs and sensitivities.