Discrimination at work
Some of us experience disability discrimination at work because of our mental health. Find out about the laws that protect us from discrimination, plus where to go for support and advice.
View this information as a PDF (new window)
Useful contacts – discrimination at work
How to find an advocate
To find advocacy services and groups in your area, you could call Mind's Legal Line on 0300 466 6463 or contact your local Mind.
If you're in hospital, you can also contact the:
- Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) in England
- Community Health Council in Wales
In some situations, you may be legally entitled to the support of an advocate. For more information, see our page on your legal rights to advocacy.
Other organisations
Able Futures
0800 321 3137
able-futures.co.uk
Confidential guidance and support to help you cope with work while managing a mental health problem.
Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas)
0300 123 1100 (helpline)
18001 0300 123 1100 (textphone)
acas.org.uk
Advice and guidance on workplace issues and employment law, including an early conciliation service.
Citizens Advice
0800 144 8848 (England Adviceline)
0800 702 2020 (Wales Adviceline)
18001 0800 144 8884 (textphone)
citizensadvice.org.uk
Free, confidential information and advice on your rights, including money, housing, experiences of discrimination and other problems.
Civil Legal Advice (CLA)
gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
Can tell you if you're eligible for legal aid, and give you free and confidential legal advice if so.
Disability Unit
gov.uk/government/organisations/disability-unit
Supports the development of policies to remove inequality between disabled and non-disabled people.
Employment Tribunal
gov.uk/courts-tribunals/employment-tribunal
Hears claims from people who may have been treated unfairly by an employer or potential employer.
Equality Advisory & Support Service (EASS)
0808 800 0082 (helpline)
18001 0808 800 0084 (textphone)
equalityadvisoryservice.com
Advice on issues relating to equality and human rights, including guidance for disabled people.
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
equalityhumanrights.com
Promotes and monitors human rights and equality.
Law Centres Network
lawcentres.org.uk
Information about Law Centres, which defend the legal rights of people who can't afford a lawyer. Includes a searchable directory.
Law Society
lawsociety.org.uk
Professional association for solicitors in England and Wales. Includes a searchable directory of solicitors.
LawWorks
lawworks.org.uk
Connects volunteer lawyers with people who aren't eligible for legal aid and can't afford to pay for legal advice. Includes details of free legal advice clinics.
This information was published in November 2022. We will revise it in 2025.
References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.
