A NEW website aimed at taking the stress out of complying with the UK’s myriad of complex discrimination laws has been launched for businesses across the UK.
Packed with helpful information for employers, discriminationonline.com is the work of experts at law firm, Brabners Chaffe Street, and is the UK’s first website providing information to employers in relation to discrimination in the workplace.
With tailored information for both employers and employees, the website sets out to be the web’s premier site for anyone in the UK wanting to know more about discrimination law in the workplace.
Jonathan I’Anson, an Associate at the firm, explained: “As the laws relating to discrimination grow ever more complex, it is becoming essential for employers to get genuinely specialist advice.
“Employers are often unaware that they may well be liable for the discriminatory act of an employee, carried out in the course of the employment, whether or not those acts were done with the employer’s knowledge or approval.
“They can face legal claims if discrimination on the basis of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion and age occurs in the workplace.
“Our aim is to help employers avoid problems in the workplace and provide specialist advice if they are faced with discrimination claims.”
The cost to UK businesses of discriminating against staff has soared over recent years – and is predicted to rise yet further in 2007.
Latest figures suggest discrimination on the grounds of race, gender or sexual orientation cost the economy £320 million in 2006, a rise of 52 per cent.
And that figure is only likely to rise further following the introduction of laws to tackle age discrimination in October last year.
Around 23,000 discrimination related legal claims were brought in the UK last year.
“Awards for discrimination cases are uncapped and can be very large,” said Mr I’Anson.
“But it’s not just the amount of compensation they must pay which makes discrimination claims one of the biggest headaches for an employer – there’s also management time and damage to reputation to consider as well.
“Hopefully, this site will make it easier for companies to obtain genuinely specialist legal advice.”
As well as information and guidance, the website includes a regularly updated blog from the discrimination team and a downloadable podcast.
Discriminationonline.com is run by Brabners Chaffe Street, a large and renowned law firm with an experienced team of Lawyers who specialise in discrimination law.
The firm provides advice and training to employers from small businesses to large national employers and PLCs.
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