Equality Solicitors Dublin
Challenging discrimination has been a key part of Tully Rinckey’s work since our establishment and we devote a separate practice area to this complex and evolving area of the law. At Tully Rinckey, our solicitors are committed to eliminating unlawful discrimination and promoting fairness and equality. Our legal team is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable equality law services. We protect your job or your business with experienced counsel and representation.
Discrimination is defined as less favourable treatment. A person is said to be directly discriminated against if they are treated less favourably than another is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation on the protected grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious belief or membership of the travelling community. A person is said to be indirectly discriminated against if an action or policy does not overtly discriminate but has the effect of creating a disadvantage to persons with a particular characteristic under one of the nine protected grounds. Unless the action or policy can be objectively justified, it will amount to indirect discrimination.
The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 prohibit discrimination in the workplace. The protection from discrimination under the Employment Equality Acts extends to not only employees, but job applicants, independent contractors and to a certain extent and agency workers. Discrimination may occur in the context of access to employment, advertising, equal pay, vocational training and work experience in relation to employment, terms and conditions of employment, promotion or re-grading, classification of posts, dismissal, and collective agreements. The Employment Equality Acts also provide for equal pay for like work. Like work is defined as work that is the same, similar or work of equal value. Equal pay claims can be taken on any of the nine discriminatory grounds.
Equal Status Acts 2000-2015, prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services, the provision of accommodation and access to education. In addition, the Equal Status Acts prohibit discrimination in the provision of accommodation services against people who are in receipt of rent supplement, housing assistance, or social welfare payments.
Tully Rinckey has a wealth of experience advising and representing both companies and private clients in the pursuit and defense of equality law claims. Our experience involves filing and responding to discrimination claims, bringing and defending equality law claims in the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, negotiating settlement agreements and using mediation to avoid litigation. We also review and develop workplace policies covering anti-discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and workplace bullying.