Ask tough questions about race and sex

The pros and cons
Questionnaires can be a good way to find out if your suspicions have legal standing. While you do have legal protection against victimisation as a result of submitting a Questionnaire, you also need to bear in mind that sometimes employers are so incensed by the fact that an employee has had the gall to question them that they ignore the risks of victimisation or go about it in such a way that it's difficult to prove. You may well be seen as someone who has dared to stick their head above the parapet and your cards may be marked as a result. So don't take the decision lightly - submitting a Questionnaire without being fairly certain of the outcome in advance can be a risky move.

Submitting a questionnaire will cause your employer to spend considerable time and effort over their response, which may act as a shot across the bows. It could make them think carefully about how they treat their female or ethnic minority staff in future. If, as a result of the answers you receive, you're thinking of mounting a tribunal claim, you would be best advised to consult a solicitor or your local Citizens' Advice Bureau for more information on how to go about it.