Equality and Human Rights Commission

Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation occurs in many situations, and is usually unlawful.

Regulations are in force that prohibit discrimination in the workplace, including harassment, on grounds of sexual orientation. These are called the Sexual Orientation Regulations 2003 or SORs (Pdf)

Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) has published a useful guide for employers and employees on sexual orientation in the workplace (PDF), which explains the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003.

Regulations are also in force that prohibit discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services, education, the use and disposal of premises and the exercise of public functions. 

The Department for Communities and Local Government has produced a guide to these regulations.

For more information about equality and your rights in each of the areas below – and what to do if you feel you have been treated unfairly – go to the Rights in different settings pages.