HRD & Payroll Solutions continues to bring HR Zone members a range of HR tips. This week’s tip looks at homosexual discrimination.
Q: One of my employees complains that his colleagues make jokes and comments about him being homosexual. He assures me that he is not. Indeed I have met his wife and children. However he does dress in rather arty and colourful clothes and dyes his hair. I understand that homosexuals are protected in law, but is he? Is there anything I should do?
A:The law protects people against discrimination on grounds of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, so it does not matter whether your employee is homosexual or not. You must put a stop to this unacceptable behaviour of your employees. Explain the law to them and point out that such behaviour constitutes gross misconduct. If you fail to take appropriate action to protect your employee you will be in serious breach of discrimination law.
Previous HR tips
Sex discrimination
Disciplinary records
Custom and practice
<a href="http://www.hrzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?ap=1&id=129433"
Gross misconduct
Employee sent to prison
HR Tip – Probation periods
Breach of notice period
Notice for senior staff
Developing women managers
A promotion that failed
Fixing holidays
Holiday for temporary employees
A redundancy problem
Behaviour outside work
Suspension from work
Informing employees of new legislation
Deductions from wages
Children on site
Workplace affairs
Disabled workers
Attitude problems
Redundancy selection
Custom and practice
Working Bank holidays
Disciplinary and dismissal procedures
Time off work for funerals
References
Translating rules
Banning smoking at work
Burden of proof
Contracts of employment
