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As a parent of a child you have rights to request flexible working, parental leave, emergency time off work, and so on.

• More information on working rights
• Working guide
• Contact our helpline for more information

Tackling discrimination

It is now illegal for your employer to treat you unfairly because of your sexual orientation - whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or straight. There are three main types of unfair treatment that are now illegal:

• Direct discrimination, where you are treated less favourably (e.g. refused promotion) because of your sexuality
• Indirect discrimination, where a workplace policy or practice disadvantages you (e.g. you cannot get the same benefits as other employees)
• Harassment – where you are subject to homophobic actions or comments.

There are a few exceptions to these forms of unfair treatment that remain legal. For example, employers in an organised religion can still refuse to employ people because of their sexual orientation if to do so would be at odds with their religious convictions. The law also allows for some jobs to be considered exempt if being gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight is a requirement of the job.