It is illegal for employers to discriminate any person on the grounds of disability, race and sex - this applies throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace.

There are laws that protect prospective and existing employees against prejudice on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, religion and race. In addition to this, the government and the European Union will be extending the rights of senior citizens to work, and new laws should be in place by 2008. If you feel like you have suffered discrimination in the workplace speak to your HR department about your rights, it's a good idea to write a letter outlining what you think has happened and make sure you keep a list of dates when you feel the discrimination occurred.