D for Discriminatory Dismissals - Lessons in Diversity

Kiera Lee, writes:

1. Introduction

Employees have the right under the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (as amended) not to be unfairly dismissed. It is unfair and unlawful to dismiss someone on the grounds of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, disability or religious or political belief. Interestingly, there has been no reduction in the number of claims for discrimination and discrimination related dismissals in the last 5 years in Northern Ireland so one wonders whether employers in Northern Ireland are getting the message.


2. Automatically Unfair

There are some reasons for dismissal that will be deemed automatically unfair regardless of the length of the employee’s service.