Race Discrimination at Work Solicitors
Harcourt Stirling Solicitors provides expert legal support for employees facing race discrimination at work.
You don’t have to face this alone—start with a straightforward, free initial consultation with an employment law specialist to understand your options.
Why choose Harcourt Stirling Solicitors for your race discrimination matter?
No form of discrimination should be tolerated in the workplace, and racial discrimination is no exception. Experiencing racial discrimination at work can be frustrating, mentally draining, and have a serious impact on both your wellbeing and your career.
The Equality Act 2010 provides protections against race discrimination, but understanding its specific provisions can be challenging without legal expertise.
That’s where we come in. Harcourt Stirling Solicitors is a trusted law firm with experienced employment lawyers. We take the time to understand your situation and provide clear, practical advice tailored to your circumstances — helping you move forward with confidence.
We handle all types of race discrimination, from biased recruitment and unfair treatment to harassment, bullying, redundancy, or dismissal. Whether through informal resolution, negotiation, or Employment Tribunal proceedings, we support you at every stage to protect your rights.
As a black-owned law firm, our perspective and cultural awareness help us support clients with empathy and understanding in race discrimination cases.
- Trusted and Transparent: We’re proud of our positive client feedback on Google and Trustpilot, reflecting our commitment to professionalism, expertise, and responsive service.
- Experienced Team: Our solicitors have extensive experience handling race discrimination claims under the Equality Act 2010, ensuring your case is assessed carefully and strategically.
- Strategic Approach: We help you determine whether early resolution, negotiation, or formal legal action is the most effective route, creating a plan that protects your position and supports your goals.
- Accessible Nationwide: Based in Brentford, our race discrimination solicitors assist clients across England and Wales and offer remote consultations for your convenience.
How Harcourt Stirling Solicitors handle your race discrimination claim
Having witnessed the impact of racial discrimination firsthand, Harcourt Stirling Solicitors is deeply committed to advocating for clients facing discrimination, harassment, or systemic bias at work.
Whether you’re seeking advice, negotiating informally, or pursuing a formal claim, our experienced team provides practical, strategic support every step of the way.
Our process:
- Free initial consultation – We review your circumstances and listen carefully to understand the discrimination you have experienced. This helps identify potential claims and gives you a clear view of your options.
- Case assessment and strategy – We evaluate the strength of your claim, explain your legal rights under the Equality Act 2010, and outline likely outcomes.
- Progressive dispute resolution – Our structured approach is designed to guide you through your options clearly and professionally. Typically, we offer the following three options in order:
- Early Conciliation (ACAS) – Often the fastest and most cost-effective way to resolve race discrimination disputes without escalating to a tribunal.
- Settlement Agreements – Confidential discussions or negotiated agreements that can address workplace adjustments, compensation, or other remedies without formal proceedings.
- Employment Tribunal – If necessary, we represent you at the tribunal, presenting evidence clearly and advocating for your rights to maximise the chance of a successful outcome.
- Evidence gathering – We assist in collecting documentation, correspondence, workplace policies, and witness statements to support your claim, whether for negotiation, conciliation, or tribunal proceedings.
- Representation and support – We act on your behalf in discussions with your employer or at the tribunal, keeping you informed and supported at every stage.
- Resolution – Our goal is to help you achieve a fair outcome, whether through negotiation, settlement, or tribunal award. Throughout the process, we focus on protecting your rights, managing risk, and providing clarity and confidence.
By combining legal expertise with a structured, client-focused approach, Harcourt Stirling Solicitors helps employees receive the guidance and support needed to pursue their race discrimination claim effectively.
Speak to an employment law specialist today!
Building a strong case for race discrimination at work
Racial discrimination at work can affect anyone and often happens subtly, making it hard to spot without careful attention. Knowing what evidence and factors strengthen a claim can give you confidence to take the right steps.
Our race discrimination solicitors carefully assess each situation to identify the key factors that may support your claim. A strong race discrimination case often includes:
- Evidence of discriminatory treatment: Emails, letters, performance reviews, policies, or other correspondence showing that decisions, actions, or behaviour were influenced by race or ethnicity.
- Understanding of your rights: Knowledge of your protections under the Equality Act 2010, including how employers are expected to prevent racial bias and provide equal treatment.
- Documented chronology: A clear timeline of incidents, recruitment decisions, promotions, training opportunities, redundancies, or other workplace events, as well as any complaints raised and employer responses, strengthens your case.
- Comparators (where relevant): Evidence that colleagues of a different race or ethnicity were treated more favourably in similar circumstances can support your claim.
- Prompt action: Raising concerns early, following internal grievance procedures, and seeking legal advice quickly can improve outcomes and help protect your rights.
Your rights and options in race discrimination at work — and how our solicitors can help you
Racial discrimination in the workplace can happen in many forms, from subtle bias to overt unfair treatment, and it can affect anyone. Knowing your legal protections and the steps you can take is key to addressing it effectively.
Our race discrimination solicitors provide clear guidance on your options and practical support to help you take the right steps.
If you believe you are being discriminated against because of your race or ethnicity, you may be entitled to:
- Resolve the issue with your employer: Early discussions, negotiation, or internal grievance procedures can sometimes address unfair treatment or implement changes without the need for formal proceedings.
- Pursue a claim through an Employment Tribunal: If necessary, we guide you through ACAS Early Conciliation and represent you at the tribunal, presenting your case clearly and effectively.
- Claim remedies or compensation: This may include adjustments to workplace practices, back pay, lost benefits, or other measures to address the impact of discrimination.
Harcourt Stirling Solicitors can support you at every stage — from informal discussions to tribunal representation. Contact us for a free consultation, and we’ll explain the most appropriate next steps for your situation.
Speak to an employment law specialist today!
How to start your racial discrimination at work case with Harcourt Stirling Solicitors
At Harcourt Stirling Solicitors, we provide clear legal guidance to individuals who believe they have experienced workplace discrimination. If you’ve faced racial bias at work, our experienced team can explain your options and support you through each stage of the process.
- Contact us – Reach out by phone, email, or via our online enquiry form to speak with an experienced race discrimination specialist. This initial consultation is free and obligation-free, giving you the opportunity to explain your situation, ask questions, and receive an initial assessment of your potential claim.
- Prepare your case – If you decide to proceed, we’ll guide you on gathering all relevant evidence, including emails, correspondence, workplace policies, performance records, or any documents showing how decisions or treatment were influenced by race. We also carry out standard legal checks (KYC/AML) to ensure your case can be assessed thoroughly.
- Case assessment – Once your documents are ready, our lawyers for racism at work review the details of your situation, evaluate the strength of your claim, and highlight any key issues, including evidence of differential treatment or comparators.
- Strategy discussion – We explain your legal rights, outline your options, and discuss potential outcomes. Together, we determine whether early resolution, informal negotiations, ACAS Early Conciliation, or an Employment Tribunal claim is the most suitable path.
- Take action – When you’re ready, we represent and support you throughout the process. Whether through informal discussions, settlement negotiations, or formal tribunal proceedings, we help you pursue remedies, adjustments, or compensation to which you may be entitled.
By combining legal expertise with a structured, supportive approach, Harcourt Stirling Solicitors ensures you have clear guidance and robust representation to confidently navigate a race discrimination claim.
Our race discrimination specialists
Race discrimination matters we specialise in
Selected race discrimination at work resources
Selected race discrimination case studies
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Frequently Asked Racial Discrimination At Work Questions
What is racial discrimination at work?
ACAS states that under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal to treat someone unfairly because of their race. This includes discrimination based on skin colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origins, ensuring that everyone has equal rights and protection in the workplace.
What are the different types of racial discrimination?
There are four main types of racial discrimination at work:
- Direct race discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of their race, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origins.
- Indirect race discrimination: applying a rule or practice that appears neutral but disadvantages people of a particular race.
- Harassment: unwanted behaviour related to race that violates someone’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or offensive environment.
- Victimisation: treating someone unfairly because they have made or supported a complaint about racial discrimination.
What are examples of racial discrimination at work?
Examples of racial discrimination could include:
- A qualified candidate is passed over for a promotion because of their ethnic background, even though they meet all the requirements.
- A colleague repeatedly makes offensive jokes or comments about someone’s race, creating a hostile work environment.
- A company implements a dress code that inadvertently prohibits traditional cultural or religious attire, disproportionately affecting employees of certain ethnic backgrounds.
Can racial discrimination ever be justified?
Direct racial discrimination is almost never justifiable, except in very specific and rare instances involving genuine occupational requirements.
In certain cases, indirect racial discrimination may be allowed if an organisation or employer can demonstrate that there is a legitimate and necessary reason for the practice. This is referred to as objective justification.
Harassment and victimisation can never be justified.
Who is protected from race discrimination?
The Equality Act 2010 applies to all aspects of employment, protecting employees, workers, apprentices, and job applicants from discrimination. Former employees and workers are also safeguarded against discriminatory treatment by a previous employer.
Who is liable for racial discrimination in the workplace?
Both organisations and individuals can be held accountable, depending on who carried out the discrimination and in what context.
Is there a qualifying period for race discrimination at work claims?
No, there is no qualifying period for bringing about an employment tribunal claim linked to racial discrimination at work.
Unlike some types of employment claims, anyone who experiences racial discrimination—whether they are an employee, worker, apprentice, or job applicant—can bring a claim immediately, regardless of how long they have been with the employer.
How long do I have to bring a workplace racism lawsuit?
You usually have three months less one day from the date of the discriminatory act to file a claim with an Employment Tribunal.
This covers unfair treatment, harassment, victimisation, or dismissal based on race, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origins.
In some rare cases, the tribunal may allow a slightly longer period if there’s a good reason for the delay, but it’s best to act as soon as possible.
How do I make a race discrimination at work claim?
At Harcourt Stirling Solicitors, we guide you through each stage of making a race discrimination claim, whether it’s against a colleague, manager, or even your employer:
- Raise the issue internally (if possible): We advise on approaching your manager, HR, or using your employer’s grievance procedure. If the claim is against your employer, we help you handle internal procedures carefully to protect your rights.
- Contact ACAS for Early Conciliation: We assist with notifying ACAS to explore whether the matter can be resolved before formal tribunal proceedings.
- Gather evidence: We help you collect emails, messages, policies, performance records, or any documents showing discriminatory treatment. This is crucial if the employer is the respondent, as tribunals will closely examine evidence from both sides.
- Submit a claim to the Employment Tribunal: Once prepared, we guide you through filing your claim and provide expert advice and representation throughout the process.
Our lawyers for racism at work support you at every stage, helping you prepare your claim thoroughly and safeguarding your rights, even if the employer is responsible for the discrimination.
What happens if I win a race discrimination at work claim?
If your race discrimination claim is successful, an Employment Tribunal can award several remedies depending on your case:
- Compensation: You may receive financial compensation for loss of earnings, injury to feelings, and any other financial losses caused by the discrimination.
- Reinstatement or re-engagement: While possible, this is relatively rare and usually only happens if both you and your employer agree and it’s practical to return to the workplace. Most claims result in financial compensation instead.
- Other remedies: The tribunal may also make recommendations to prevent future discrimination, such as changes to workplace policies or practices.
At Harcourt Stirling Solicitors, we help you pursue the best possible outcome, ensuring your rights are fully protected and that you receive the remedies you are entitled to.
How does the free initial consultation work?
Harcourt Stirling Solicitors offers a free initial consultation to discuss your racial discrimination claim. The initial consultation lasts up to 30 minutes.
It allows you to speak with an employment law specialist, learn about your options, and ask any questions you may have.
Harcourt Stirling Solicitors understand how difficult it can be to speak about sensitive and confidential employment matters during the normal working day – and so you can email us (or fill out the contact form) at anytime and we’ll do our best to respond to your enquiry.
How can I contact Harcourt Stirling Solicitors for advice on racial discrimination at work?
You can give us a call at 020 3627 6074 from Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM and one of our specialists will be happy to assist you.
Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form on our website and we’ll do our best to respond to your racial discrimination enquiry as soon as we can.
Racial discrimination claims usually need to be filed within three months less one day from the date of the act of discrimination with the Employment Tribunal. So, it’s important to contact us as soon as possible about your claim.
What are your legal fees and do you offer "No Win, No Fee"?
We understand that cost is a major consideration. Each matter will be weighed on its merits to determine which fee structure to apply to the individual client.
After taking your instructions and assessing your case, we will agree on one of the following funding methods with you:
- No Win, No Fee (CFA): for cases with strong merits, we may work under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), meaning you do not pay legal fees unless your claim is successful.
- Fixed Fee: for specific tasks, we can work on a fixed fee basis to be agreed on engagement.
- Hourly Rates: for other matters, we apply our standard hourly rates as per our terms and conditions.
We will ensure you have a clear understanding of the applicable fees before we begin any work.