Race Discrimination Solicitors
Specialist employment lawyers in London and the South East – supporting employees and senior executives facing race discrimination at work.
Treated unfairly because of your race? We’ll help you stand up for your rights.
No one should face discrimination at work because of their race, colour, nationality or ethnic background. But it happens – in hiring decisions, promotion prospects, workplace culture and day-to-day interactions.
You may feel side-lined, silenced or judged unfairly. And when you try to speak up, you may be met with disbelief, defensiveness or even retaliation.
At Thomas Mansfield Solicitors, our experienced race discrimination solicitors support employees and senior executives who’ve been treated unfairly because of their race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin. Whether it’s open hostility, unconscious bias or structural inequality, we’ll help you take action and protect your rights.
We’re trusted across sectors and known for strong outcomes – from internal change and improved treatment to negotiated exits, settlements and employment tribunal claims.
Common situations we help with
Race discrimination at work can take many forms – and it’s not always obvious. You might be:
- Still in your role, but being left out of meetings, passed over for promotion or treated differently.
- Managing the fallout of raising a concern, now facing exclusion or disciplinary action.
- Recently dismissed, with a strong sense that the reason wasn’t really about performance.
- In a senior role, unsure how to raise the issue without affecting your standing or reputation.
How we support employees and senior executives
As specialist employment lawyers, we advise individuals at all levels – from junior staff to senior leaders – who are ready to take action over race discrimination at work. Our support is tailored to your situation and your goals.
Whether you want to remain in your role, leave on fair terms or pursue a formal claim, we can:
- Explain your legal position – So you understand whether what’s happened is unlawful.
- Support you through internal processes – Such as raising a grievance or responding to disciplinary action.
- Negotiate fair treatment or exit terms – Including settlement agreements.
- Represent you in an employment tribunal – With practical, strategic advice at every stage.
- Help you protect your career and reputation – Especially if you’re in a high-profile or senior position.
We know how difficult it is to raise concerns about race. We’ll help you make informed decisions and move forward with clarity, dignity and confidence.
Call our employment law team on 0204 571 1443 or
Understanding race discrimination under the Equality Act.
Race discrimination happens when you’re treated unfairly at work because of your race, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origin. It may be overt – or it may be embedded in workplace decisions, assumptions and behaviours.
Under the Equality Act 2010, there are four main types of discrimination:
- Direct discrimination – Being treated worse than someone else because of your race.
- Indirect discrimination – When a policy or practice disadvantages people of a particular racial group.
- Harassment – Unwanted behaviour, comments or conduct linked to race that creates a hostile or degrading environment.
- Victimisation – Being treated badly after complaining about race discrimination or supporting someone who has.
Examples of race discrimination at work
Discrimination often happens as a pattern – not a one-off. We advise individuals who’ve experienced:
- Being overlooked for promotion in favour of less qualified colleagues.
- Disproportionate micromanagement or disciplinary action.
- Exclusion from meetings, projects or social events.
- Racially insensitive remarks, jokes or stereotyping.
- Name-based bias in recruitment or shortlisting.
- Unequal pay, bonus decisions or performance ratings.
- Sudden dismissal without proper process or explanation.
- Workplace norms that exclude or alienate certain racial or ethnic groups.
- Being labelled as ‘not a good fit’, ‘too direct’ or ‘too quiet’ – often coded language for unconscious bias.
Even subtle behaviours can have a serious impact. We’ll help you identify what’s unlawful and take practical steps to protect your position.
Meet our employment law partners
Why choose our race discrimination solicitors.
- Experts in employment law – Recognised in The Legal 500, Lexcel accredited and members of the Employment Lawyers Association.
- Experienced in race discrimination claims – including exclusion, bias, unequal treatment and retaliation after raising concerns
- Easy to work with – Offices in London and the South East, plus remote consultations for fast, flexible support wherever you are.
- Highly rated by clients – Known for clear advice, strong results and a supportive approach during stressful moments.
Call our employment law team on 020 4579 5997 or
What to do if you’re experiencing race discrimination at work.
If you’ve been treated unfairly because of your race, we’re here to help you explore your options.
Frequently asked questions
What if the discrimination is subtle or hard to prove?
Discrimination often shows up in patterns - not one-off events. You might be repeatedly overlooked, given less favourable feedback, or treated differently to colleagues without good reason. These experiences matter, and they can be evidence. We’ll help you gather relevant information, identify what might support your case, and advise on how to document your concerns discreetly if you’re still in the role. Even subtle or informal behaviours can carry legal weight when looked at in context.
What if I was discriminated against during recruitment or promotion?
The Equality Act protects you at all stages of employment - including recruitment and promotion. If you’ve been unfairly rejected, overlooked or questioned because of your race, nationality or ethnicity, you may have grounds to challenge it. Common signs include being passed over for a less qualified candidate, being asked inappropriate questions at interview, or facing coded language like ‘not a good fit’. We’ll help you assess what’s happened and advise on next steps - even if you didn’t get the job.
What counts as race discrimination at work?
Race discrimination includes being treated unfairly because of your race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin. It can be direct - such as being excluded or dismissed - or indirect, such as policies that disproportionately affect people of a certain background. It may also involve harassment or being treated badly for raising a concern. It’s not always obvious, and it doesn’t have to be extreme to be unlawful. We help you identify the patterns and behaviours that could amount to discrimination - and advise on what you can do next.
How have you helped other clients resolve race discrimination cases?
Every case is different, but we’ve helped clients secure outcomes including:
- Financial compensation through negotiated settlements or tribunal awards
- Agreed exits with references, confidentiality and protection for reputation
- Internal change, such as revised performance plans or redeployment
- Reinstatement in some rare cases
We’ll always tailor our advice to your priorities - whether that’s justice, resolution, career protection or change. Many clients don’t want a public battle. We’re experienced in resolving things discreetly but effectively - and we’ll always put your goals first.
Can race discrimination include cultural assumptions or stereotypes?
Yes. Discrimination doesn’t have to be explicit to be unlawful. If your treatment at work is shaped by assumptions about your cultural background, religion, language, accent or name, this may amount to race discrimination - particularly if it affects your inclusion, progression or perception by others. Comments like ‘you people always…’ or ‘that’s just how they are’ can be rooted in bias. We help you identify where cultural stereotyping crosses the legal line - and advise you on the best way to challenge it.
Can I claim for race discrimination if I’ve already left the company?
Yes - you can still bring a claim for race discrimination even if you’ve resigned or been dismissed, as long as it’s within the legal time limits (usually 3 months less one day from the act). We’ll help you assess your position and act quickly if you’re approaching a deadline. Many clients come to us after being pushed out unfairly or dismissed under questionable circumstances, and our discrimination solicitors helped them secure compensation, resolution and recognition through both tribunal and negotiated settlements.
Contact us
Contacting the right person couldn’t be easier. Use our form or call us to speak to an experienced employment solicitor in confidence.
Please note we do not offer legal aid or no win no fee agreements.