Discuss whether discrimination occurred in the following cases? If so, identify the form of prohibited conduct and the

relevant protected characteristic.

1. A firm of solicitors advertises a job opening. The advertisement states that the successful applicant

will have between five and seven years' post-qualifying experience and will be under the age of 30.

Becky applies for the job, but is rejected as she is 37 years old.

2. Hamilton & Ross Ltd is a small firm of accountants with 5 employees. One employee, Joseph, is

normally allowed to go home early on a Friday during Winter months, as it is a requirement of his

religion that he be home on a Friday before sunset. He then makes this time up the following

Monday. However, on one Friday, the company has to conclude a large audit that it has been

undertaking and so the managing director tells the employees (including Joseph) that they are

needed to work late on a Friday evening.

3. Sharon is employed to cover for another employee who is taking maternity leave. A few days into

the job, Sharon discovers that she is pregnant. Sharon informs her employer, who promptly

dismisses her.

4. Steven is wheelchair-bound. He works for Cabal Ltd, and works in an office with four other people.

Three of these people (one of whom is Steven's manager) make fun of Steven and mock his

disability. The other office member finds the mockery deeply unpleasant.