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.

Transsexual is an adjective used to describe people who have such a powerful sense of discomfort with the gender of their body and subsequent social role - a condition called gender dysphoria - that they undertake the personal, social and medical transition to live in the gender identity of their personal conviction. Be aware that some individuals will prefer the term Transgender or Transpeople to be used, so consult with a member of staff before assuming, and possibly offending.

This is the personal, social and medical process by which a person's gender presentation (the way they appear to others) is changed.

Since 1 May 1999 an amendment to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 has meant that individuals have had the right not to be discriminated against because they are proposing to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment.  Further regulations came into force from 6 April 2008, which extend protection to include the provision of goods, services and housing in accordance with the general provisions of Part III of the Sex Discrimination Act. 

Protection begins from the date when the individual made it known to a medical practitioner that they seek to undergo gender reassignment.

The Gender Recognition Act 2004 which came into force on 4 April 2005 further provides individuals with the legal right to change gender by means of a Gender Recognition Certificate. This certificate automatically leads to a new birth certificate in the acquired gender with all its attendant rights and responsibilities. This includes the right to marry.

A transsexual person who is already married is obliged under the Act to divorce to gain a Gender Recognition Certificate. They and their partner will then be able to register a Civil Partnership to regain the legal status of their relationship.

They must meet certain conditions in that;

• They have been diagnosed as having gender dysphoria, and
• They have had whatever treatment is appropriate for them to alter their sexual characteristics, and
• They have lived in their acquired gender role for two years, and
• They intend to do so permanently for the remainder of their life.

Note that it is not mandatory for applicants for gender recognition to have had genital or other specific surgeries at the time of their application. The Gender Recognition Panel recognises that there can be medical contraindications that prevent such surgeries in some cases, and that others may be prevented from obtaining surgery through the NHS because of local funding restrictions.

Section 22 of the Act gives the individual a right to privacy. It is a criminal offence for any individual who has obtained the information in an official capacity to disclose that a person has (or has applied for) a Gender Recognition Certificate. If convicted, a fine up to £5000 can be levied. All records should be changed in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004, section 9 paragraph 28. Which states that gender recognition is not retrospective, so the gender reassignment certificate does not rewrite the gender history of the transsexual person, and that the new gender applies for the interpretation of enactments, instruments and documents made before as well as after the issue of a certificate.