Employment Equality Act 1998
Prohibited discrimination at work on a number of grounds including sexual orientation. The acts covered aspects such as hire and fire; employment contracts; promotion and demotion; harassment at work; indirect discrimination; pay and work conditions; membership of unions and professional bodies; and participating in training courses. A general exception was granted to religious institutions under Section 37(1) of this act such as schools, hospitals and social services. Section 37(1) allows a religious run institution to claim an exemption where they can take reasonable action against an employee to uphold the ethos of their institution. This section has never been tested to date on the sexual orientation grounds. There is a proposal to change this see Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill, 2012. Mechanisms were put in place to ensure the enforcement of this Act. A person can seek mediation or adjudication with the Equality Authority or go to the Equality Tribunal for a binding ruling which can only be appealed to the courts on a point of law.
Read more about this topic: List Of Laws And Reports On LGBT Rights In Ireland
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