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Equality & Discrimination in the Workplace

Our Employment Team have a wealth of experience in advising on Equality and Discrimination matters in the workplace.

No person should ever be the victim of workplace discrimination. Unfortunately, many employees each year are discriminated against on the grounds of characteristics which are protected under law.

What are the Protected Characteristics in Ireland?

There are 9 protected characteristics on which employers have a legal duty to ensure workers are not discriminated on the grounds of:

  • Age

  • Civil Status: Includes single, married, separated, divorced, widowed people, civil partners and former civil partners.

  • Disability: Includes people with physical, intellectual, learning, cognitive or emotional disabilities and a range of medical conditions.

  • Family Status: This refers to the parent of a person under 18 years or the resident primary carer or parent of a person with a disability.

  • Gender: This means man, woman or transsexual.

  • Traveller: Membership of the Traveller community.

  • Race: This includes race, skin colour, nationality or ethnic origin.

  • Religion: This means religious belief, background, outlook or none.

  • Sexual Orientation: This includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual.

Our Equality & Discrimination in the Workplace Expertise

If you have been affected by discrimination of any type in the workplace, Lavelle Partners have the experience and legal expertise to defend your rights. As an equal opportunities’ employer ourselves, we take especially seriously any case of discrimination or inequality within the workplace.

Our Employment Team will work tirelessly to ensure the party/s responsible for your discrimination, or those who failed to protect you from discriminatory behaviour are brought to account.

We’re here to help.

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How can Lavelle assist with Discrimination in the Workplace?

  • Our Employment Team, headed up by Partner Marc Fitzgibbon, has been assisting and supporting victims of inequality and discrimination in the workplace for over 35 years and have developed a strong reputation for achieving excellence in this area of law.

  • Marc is ranked in Band 2 in the latest Chambers and Partners Europe 2024 Guide for Employment: Mainly Plaintiff.

  • We understand the emotional impact of uncertainty in relation to discrimination and unequal treatment and will handle your case with the utmost empathy, professionalism and confidentiality.

  • As a full-service law firm, client's benefit from our multi-disciplinary offering and our specialist legal expertise across a number of related practice areas including Banking & Finance, Corporate & Commercial and Property.

Need Help? Just Ask. Image

Need Help? Just Ask.

For expert legal advice on Equality & Discrimination in the Workplace or any Employment matter, call us on +353 1 644 5800 or email law@lavellepartners.ie

What Our Clients Say

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"We chose Lavelle Partners based on the excellent reputation of Marc Fitzgibbon, and we could not be happier with that decision. Marc is highly experienced and exceptionally capable. He is also a grounded, likeable and approachable person who genuinely cares, and he places tremendous importance on always acting towards his clients best interests. Marc's advice and support was absolutely invaluable and I don't feel that there is anything further that Lavelle could possibly have done better to support me."

Michael King, Employment Client, 2026

"Ernesta and the Lavelle Partners LLP team recently helped me with a labour legal matter, and I was extremely impressed with the level of service, support and attention to detail. Ernesta answered all my questions clearly, with transparency, context and a structured approach that made the process much easier to navigate. I would highly recommend Ernesta and the team to anyone looking for legal support, especially in employment or labour matters."

Rob W, Employment Client, 2026

"Marc Fitzgibbon, more than 40 years of experience advising in employment law matters, strategic advice, accessible, calm and measured."

Legal 500, 2026

"The Employment team in Lavelle are highly practical and flexible in dealing with legal issues. The team have deep experience and always place the client first in their considerations. They do precisely what is required and carefully resist the temptation to turn small issues into big issues."

Legal 500, 2025

"Marc Fitzgibbon. Highly expert in employment law, with a pragmatic approach, understanding the business perspective and solutions-focused."

Legal 500, 2026

"There is almost no kind of Employment law issue that Marc Fitzgibbon has not encountered over the course of a vastly experienced career. He is tactically astute and is highly respected by his colleagues. When I am asked to provide a recommendation for an Employment law solicitor Marc is always at the top of my list."

Legal 500, 2025

"Specialist employment law advice, particularly good for senior executive employees as well as SMEs".

Legal 500, 2026

"Marc Fitzgibbon is approachable and pragmatic in all his dealings, as well as being highly knowledgeable in the area of Employment law. His advice is constructive and practical, ensuring that the client is protected and has the best representation."

Legal 500, 2025

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