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Being valued and appreciated at work is something which we all strive for yet surveys routinely see job dissatisfaction top our list of complaints. For those based in the West Midlands, unemployment may have fallen by 7.5% but this does not mean locals are not without work-related worries.
Alongside the concerns consumers have over potential unemployment, workplace worries can cover anything from accidental mistreatment to deliberate harassment and discrimination. Employment law clearly states that all individuals are entitled to work in a safe and fair environment and that means that any form of prejudice or discrimination should not be tolerated.
Sexual harassment is a growing concern for many individuals in the workplace and can affect both men and women – although incidences where the latter is the victim are more common, or at least more widely reported. News reports from 2009 revealed that one in three women claimed to have been sexually harassed whilst at work, representing more than 15% of the working community at that time.
Despite the fact that showing prejudice to an employee or individual based on their race has been unlawful since the 1976 Race Relations Act, some individuals still find they face this form of prejudice in the workplace. Anyone who has had their employment terminated for what they believe are racially motivated reasons should seek advice from unfair dismissal experts in the West Midlands and seek appropriate redress for this.
Other forms of discrimination in the workplace can be related to age or gender. According to UK figures, almost three quarters of women still feel there are barriers placed in front of them because of their gender, whilst almost half (47%) think job applicants are regularly denied jobs because of their age. Those with disabilities could also seek compensation if they are unfairly treated or dismissed with figures suggesting these individuals are twice as likely to face bullying in the workplace.
For those who feel they have been mistreated at work, seeking redress for this is vital. This can be done by seeking no win no fee employment law help from qualified employment law experts. They will be able to advise you on your entitlement to claim and pursue legal action through an employment tribunal on your behalf.
According to official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the West Midlands reported an unemployment figure of 223,000 for the period between March and May of this year, representing a decrease of more than 7% from previous figures.
Despite this apparent improvement in the number of people in work, the situation surrounding the jobs market remains uncertain and this is where the majority of problems stem from. The situation may also be prompting some individuals to tolerate unfair working conditions in an attempt to avoid unemployment. Such activity should not be encouraged and anyone who feels they are being unfairly treated should seek immediate assistance.
