Protecting Our Client v Protected Characteristics

DLP have seen a rapid increase in recent months of appeals based on the grounds of an employee’s protected characteristic.

Our clients have often questioned when contacting us for advice why we are asking certain questions such as an employee’s length of service, whether they have any protected characteristics and other questions that we use to explore the entirety of a situation.

It is crucial to ensure all of the questions asked are answered accurately and factually to ensure that a case is insured should this need to be relied upon at a later stage.

It is also important to add that length of service or a protected characteristic does not automatically mean that DLP will provide different advice or instruct you to carry out an alternative remedy to any potential issue that you face. It simply ensures we have all the information and have explored all mitigating factors in reaching the best solutions for our important clients.

If you are ever unsure as to whether there are any factors we should be aware of or unsure of whether someone has a protected characteristic then please please please just ask—there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Our recommendations are always followed up with an email for your records and peace of mind to summarise the issue and confirm our advice.