The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Do you think you have been treated unfairly? The Equality Commission can give you free, confidential advice if you think you may have suffered unlawful discrimination.

Protected by law

The law protects you against discrimination on grounds of race, gender, age, religion or political opinion, sexual orientation, or because you have a disability.

It covers acts of discrimination at work on all of those grounds. It also covers acts of discrimination in accessing services, or buying goods, or renting, buying or accessing premises on all those grounds except age.

If you would like advice from the Equality Commission about unlawful discrimination contact it as follows:

enquiry line: 028 90 890 890
email: discriminationadvice@equalityni.org

The Equality Commission will give advice to anyone who asks for it, and that may help resolve the situation. If not, the Commission may assist you to bring a complaint of unlawful discrimination to a tribunal or a court.

Of the cases the Equality Commission assist, the majority are resolved before going to a hearing. In most of the cases settled the Commission has a commitment to work with the employer or service provider to improve and maintain their practices so as to ensure equality of opportunity for everyone.

More information on your rights, and useful publications are available on the Equality Commission's website.

UNCRPD – disability rights

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission have been designated as the 'independent mechanism' for the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

They are monitoring the implementation of UNCRPD, holding decision makers to account and will report to a UN committee on how the Convention is being implemented.

UN Convention on disability rights

Employers

The Equality Commission also provides training and guidance for employers in order to prevent discrimination from occurring in the workplace. Flexible training programmes tailored to suit employers’ business needs are available along with seminars and workshops. These are open to employers regardless of size or sector.

The Commission also operates a number of Employment Equality Networks providing an open forum in which employers can share experiences, best practice, and benefit from the Equality Commission’s expertise, advice and assistance.