Closed petition Review anti-discrimination laws to stop unfair appearance-based discrimination

Closed on 27 January 2016

In the UK, there are a number of specified characteristics the law will protect against discrimination, specifically regarding behaviour in professional environments. However, many aspects of a person's appearance and individual nature are not covered by this protection. This needs to change.

Employers can discriminate against employees, or prospective candidates on the basis of superficial attributes such as hair colour, make-up, piercings and tattoos. It is unfair to subject innocent, hard-working citizens to this prejudice and unjust treatment in the workplace on appearance-based grounds, especially without any legal means to challenge such discrimination. Nobody should be made to feel inferior or disadvantaged due to harmless self-expression. Appearance doesn't define ability.