Is it lawful for an employer to refuse to engage me because of my race?

It is unlawful to refuse you employment on the grounds of your race, either directly, or indirectly by putting in place requirements which would be more difficult for you to comply with than a member of another racial group.

The only exception to this protection is where there is some reason connected with the job itself, or circumstances where there in a genuine need to appoint a person of one particular race. This is known as a Genuine Occupational Qualification (GOQ) and applies in a number of specified circumstances such as

• where there is such a requirement for authenticity, for example, a theatrical role or in certain food and drink establishments
• the work is concerned with the provision of personal or welfare services, and those services can be best provided by someone from the same racial group as the recipients