Sex discrimination as a consumer
This section contains information about your right not to suffer from sex discrimination as a consumer, for example when you use or buy goods or services. We explain what action you can take if you are discriminated against because of your sex.
For more information on consumer rights such as product guarantees and trading standards issues, visit the DirectGov website.
For more on the responsibilities of service providers to avoid discrimination, see Businesses and organisations: Service providers
For more on discrimination when using goods and services, see Rights in action: services.
Read about your rights
Reada about what the law says
What is sex discrimination in services?
Goods or services that are available to the public must be provided in a way that does not discriminate unfairly on the grounds of gender.
There are three ways that a service provider might discriminate on the grounds of gender:
• refusing to provide you with a service
• providing you with a lower standard of service
• providing you with a service on worse terms
Depending on the circumstances, this might constitute direct or indirect discrimination.
Direct sex discrimination
Example:
A private landlord renting out a shared house requires a higher deposit from groups of men than from groups of women. This is likely to be unlawful direct sex discrimination.
Indirect sex discrimination
Example:
A mortgage provider refuses to provide someone with a mortgage because they work part-time. Because a large majority of part-time workers are women, this is likely to be unlawful indirect sex discrimination.
What is a service provider?
A service provider is an organisation that provides goods, facilities or services to the public, whether paid for or for free, no matter how large or small the organisation is.
The definition of “service provider” is quite broad: it includes most organisations that deal directly with members of the public. For example, a manufacturer that sells goods only through retailers would not be considered a service provider, but the retailers would.
Similarly, an investment bank that deals only with other companies and not with the public would be excluded from the definition; a high street bank, though, would be included.
Services also include public amenities like parks, public buildings, leisure facilities and railway stations, whether they are run by the government or by private companies. For more information on sex discrimination in services provided by public bodies, read Sex discrimination in public services.
If you think you have experienced sex discrimination by a service provider, read Using your rights for more information on how to take your case forward.