Action you can take
You are protected from discrimination, harassment or victimisation:
- at work
- in education
- as a consumer (using businesses and organisations that provide goods and services)
- when using public services
- using public transport
- when buying or renting a property
- as member or guest of a private club or association
You are also protected from discrimination, harassment or victimisation if:
- you’re associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, for example a family member or friend
- you’ve complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim
If you think you have been unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised you can:
- complain directly to the person or organisation
- use conciliation services
- make a claim to the Employment and Equality Tribunal
Sources of help
| Where discrimination happened | Suggested action | Contact Details (and Role) |
|---|---|---|
| At work | Employees should talk to their employer/manager first to try and sort out the problem informally. If this informal approach is not successful, you can contact Manx Industrial Relations. Manx Citizens Advice also provide free impartial advice and facilitate referrals where required. |
Manx Industrial Relations Service (MIRS) Ground Floor Imperial Buildings Bath Place Douglas IM1 2BY Telephone: +44 1624 672942 Email: Send Email Manx Industrial Relations Service can provide free and impartial service to both employers and workers about employment rights, employment disputes and potential claims to the Employment & Equality Tribunal. Where appropriate, an industrial relations officer can conciliate even if no claim has been made to the Tribunal. |
| Manx Citizens Advice can provide free impartial advice, including employment and housing issues, and facilitate appropriate referrals where required. Please refer to their website for contact details, office locations & opening hours |
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| As a consumer when accessing goods and services | Try to resolve your problem by talking to the trader or service provider first. If things cannot be sorted out informally contact the Office of Fair Trading for free advice which can include conciliation. |
Office of Fair Trading Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St John’s IM4 3AS Telephone:+44 1624 687540 Website: OFT Email: Send email |
| Buying or renting property | Try to resolve your problem by talking to the vendor, landlord or agent first. If things cannot be sorted out informally contact the Office of Fair Trading for free advice including conciliation. |
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| Member or guest of a private club or association | If you think you have been unfairly discriminated against by a private club or association who have 25 or more members & whose membership is controlled by rules involving a selection process, try to resolve your problem by talking to the service provider first. If things cannot be sorted out informally contact the Office of Fair Trading for free advice including conciliation. |
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| In education (state & independent schools) | Try to resolve your problem informally first by, for example, talk to the appropriate teacher, head teacher or governing body. If your problem isn’t resolved by informal approach, to the school, contact an independent conciliator through the Department of Education, Sport & Culture. |
Department of Education, Sport and Culture Hamilton House Peel Road Douglas IM1 5EZ Telephone: +44 1624 686088 Website: www.gov.im/desc Email: Send Email |
| In healthcare | Try to resolve your problem by talking to the service provider first. There is guidance available that aims to help you if you have a complaint about healthcare services provided by the NHS. If things cannot be sorted out informally contact the Office of Fair Trading for free advice including conciliation. |
Office of Fair Trading Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St John’s IM4 3AS Telephone:+44 1624 687540 Website: OFT Email: Send email |
| Public Sector Housing | Try to resolve your problem by talking to the service provider first. If things cannot be sorted out informally contact the Office of Fair Trading for free advice including conciliation. |
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| Local authorities | Try to resolve your problem by talking to the service provider and/or your Local Authority first. If things cannot be sorted out informally contact the Office of Fair Trading for free advice including conciliation. |
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| Public Transport | Try to resolve your problem by talking to the service provider first. There is guidance available to help you if you have a complaint about Isle of Man Public Transport. If things cannot be sorted out informally contact the Office of Fair Trading for free advice including conciliation. |
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| Emergency Services | Try to resolve your problem by talking to the service provider first.If things cannot be sorted out informally contact the Office of Fair Trading for free advice including conciliation. | |
| All Public Authorities (including organisations and/or individuals contracted to undertake work on behalf on a Public Authority) | Public authorities must comply with the public sector equality duty. This is in addition to their duty not to discriminate against you. You can use the public sector equality duty to challenge policies or decisions by a public authority which you think discriminate against you or disadvantage you because of who you are. Try to resolve your problem by talking to the public authority first and remind them of their duty under the Act. If things cannot be sorted out informally, you can make a formal complaint. If you decide to take court action you should seek legal advice before making an application to the High Court. You can only use the public sector equality duty to challenge a decision or policy if you are protected under the Equality Act. |
Alternatively, you may take your case to the Employment and Equality Tribunal.
Taking formal legal action can be a long and stressful process.
If you’re thinking about taking your case to the Tribunal, you need to be reasonably sure that unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation has taken place, in accordance with the Equality Act.
You should first get informal advice by contacting one of the organisations listed above before contacting the Tribunals Service.
The Tribunal Service cannot offer legal advice or assess the merits of your case that would be heard by the Employment and Equality Tribunal. If you require legal advice you should contact an advocate or the Isle of Man Law Society who can assist you in finding an advocate.
