This new legislation is particularly aimed at combatting homophobia and religious intolerance at work which is not already covered under the race discrimination laws.

The names you need to know are the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 and the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003.

Both come into force at the beginning of December.

Taunts

Since 1975 there have been laws on sexual equality, with racial equality following a year later.

Northern Ireland already has legislation governing religion because of the particular circumstances there.

How will these new laws work in practice?

Experts point to the case of Shirley Pearce, a lesbian who was forced out of the teaching profession after 27 years because of homophobic taunts from pupils.

The case went to the House of Lords and it was decided that it wasn't a sexual discrimination case, but concerned her sexuality - and there was nothing that could be done.

Prayer room

The only way people could try to gain any redress was through a tribunal.

The new laws fill in some of the gaps that were left by the existing legislation.

In theory, employers could be acting in a discriminatory way if they refuse requests for an employees' prayer room.

And they will have to think carefully about allowing people time off for religious holidays in case other workers feel they are not getting the same treatment.

John Hayes: Sensitivity needed

There may also be occasions when sensitivity is needed because both laws could be breached.

"If we take the example of an evangelical Christian who may hold legitimate and very strong views about homosexuals," says John Hayes of lawyers Bracher Rawlins.

"If they express those views in the workplace then a homosexual may feel, understandably, affronted at those views.

"If the employer were then to seek to discipline the evangelical Christian for expressing those views, then he or she might be able to bring a claim under these new laws banning discrimination based on the grounds of religious belief."

There are steps to follow to take any action.