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Seventy years of workplace progress with anti-discrimination measures

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Karen Seward

Partner

London

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Image of Sarah Henchoz
Sarah Henchoz

Partner

London

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Sinclair Robbie
Robbie Sinclair

Partner

London

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Vicky Wickremeratne

Partner

London

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Image of Kate Pumfrey
Kate Pumfrey

Counsel

London

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Fahy Sheila
Sheila Fahy

PSL Counsel

London

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25 May 2022

At the start of the Queen’s reign in 1953, workplace discrimination was commonplace and lawful. Today, the personal characteristics of workers such as sexual orientation, religion, gender and pregnancy have statutory protection against discriminatory practices.

Attitudes too have changed. Employers and employees alike aspire to achieve greater diversity, equity and inclusion as commercial and moral imperatives. Those days when the employer held the greater share of power are long gone, and now employment decisions are more of a dialogue than an instruction. Phrases such as employee activism, gender pay gap and hybrid working are part of daily vocabulary in modern workplaces.

Our UK Employment team have been looking at the history of the events, legislation and landmark cases that have taken Britain’s workplaces into a fairer era.

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