I think I am suffering sex discrimination at work. What can I do?

Sexist behaviour towards you or discrimination on the grounds of your gender or marital status, conducted by anybody at your place of work, can be against the law.

Sex discrimination can take many different forms. It might be direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, sexual harassment, or victimisation

It can include:

• being shouted at
• being called sexist names
• sexual harassment
• being denied certain benefits
• being overlooked for promotion and/or training
• being bullied

Find out whether your employer has a policy about sex discrimination, what it says and how you might go about raising such issues with management. It might be part of a wider equal opportunities policy.

Make sure you make a written note of the behaviour you believe to be sexist or discriminatory, when it took place and by whom. Do this on each occasion if it happens more than once.

Consider talking to work colleagues who you believe may be suffering from similar behaviour. If possible you could approach the problem together.

If you are a member of a trade union talk to your union representative.

If you feel confident enough you might wish to talk to the individual(s) you believe is/are being sexist, or disciminating against you.

If nothing changes or it is not appropriate to raise it directly. then you may have to follow your organisation's policy on sexual discrimination.

If your organisation does not have a specific policy you may have to use your organisation's grievance procedure. You have a legal right to be accompanied at such a meeting.

You may wish to contact the Equal Opportunities Commission a national body that can provide help and support to individuals who are being discriminated against on grounds of their sex. If you're thinking of bringing a claim of sex discrimination to an employment tribunal, remember that you must use the grievance procedure first. Such a claim must normally be made within three months of the disriminatory act. Make sure you seek sound advice before going down this route.

Sex discrimination law is complex, and you should take advice at an early stage. If you are in a union then you can speak to your representative for advice, if you are not a union member, then you might want to talk to a solicitor (there might be a charge for such a meeting), the Citizens Advice Bureau, an ACAS Officer or staff at a Law Centre.