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13-01-2009

Heterosexual worker was discriminated by gay abuse

A heterosexual worker subjected to verbal gay abuse by colleagues who knew he was not gay suffered sexual orientation discrimination.

The Court of Appeal reversed the Employment Appeal Tribunal decision, which had held that such treatment could not be “on the grounds of sexual orientation” if the harassers used gay abuse, but knew that the victim was not gay.

[English v Thomas Sanderson Ltd (2008) EWCACIV1421]

Contacts:

Employment Department

Raj Dhokia: r.dhokia@fglaw.co.uk