According to The Sex Discrimination Act (1970) there are four types of discrimination:

• Direct Discrimination
  Where an employee has been unfairly treated as a result of their gender. For example, a woman is denied a promotion in favour of a man or a single man is promoted over a married women.
  
  
• Indirect Discrimination
  Where an employer enforces a practice that is disadvantageous to female employees. For example, an employer announces that all employees must work fulltime making it impossible for a part time working mum to continue her employment.
  
  
• Harassment
  Harassment can be a result of direct discrimination but more specifically is when conduct in the workplace takes on a sexual nature, is unwanted, unreasonable and offensive to the recipient and therefore affects the dignity of the women.
  
  
• Victimisation
  It is deemed unlawful to treat a person less-favourably if they have made allegations against a co-worker, are in the process of bringing legal proceedings against a co-worker, or are giving evidence or information at a hearing or tribunal.

The above are rough definitions of the differing types of sex discrimination. For a fuller more detailed definition please go to www.eoc.gov.uk. If you believe you are or have been a victim of sex discrimination please contact www.eoc.gov.uk and they will advise you on the correct procedure to take.