Forms of Workplace Discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace is defined as unfair treatment or negative behavior towards an employee or group of employees based on their personal characteristics. These characteristics can include but are not limited to race, gender, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Such prejudicial actions and behaviors can create a toxic and hostile work environment, and it is important for employers to recognize and address them to ensure a fair and inclusive workplace.
There are several forms of workplace discrimination that employees may face. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
1. Racial Discrimination
Racial discrimination is one of the most common forms of workplace discrimination. It occurs when an employee is treated unfairly or differently because of their race or ethnicity. This can take many forms, such as being denied job opportunities, being paid less than their colleagues of a different race, or facing harassment and derogatory remarks. For example, if a qualified candidate is passed over for a job promotion because of their race, it is a clear case of racial discrimination.
2. Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination is another prevalent form of workplace discrimination that affects both men and women. It occurs when an employee is treated differently based on their gender, rather than their skills and qualifications. This can manifest in various ways, such as denying equal pay to women for the same job, promoting men to higher positions over equally qualified women, or creating a work environment that is hostile towards certain genders. The #MeToo movement has shed light on this issue, where women have come forward to share stories of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
3. Age Discrimination
Age discrimination is discrimination against individuals based on their age. This can occur in various forms, such as not hiring or promoting someone due to their age, or forcing an employee to retire because they are considered too old. It can also involve treating individuals of a certain age group differently, such as not giving them the same training opportunities as younger employees. Recently, there has been a rise in age discrimination cases, especially towards older workers who are seen as less productive or tech-savvy compared to their younger counterparts.
4. Religious Discrimination
Religious discrimination involves treating an employee unfairly because of their religious beliefs. It can take many forms, such as not hiring someone because of their religious attire, denying them the right to observe religious holidays, or making offensive comments about their faith. This form of discrimination is not limited to one religion and can affect followers of any belief system. For instance, in 2017, a Muslim woman sued her employer for not allowing her to wear a headscarf at work, citing religious discrimination.
5. Disability Discrimination
Disability discrimination is the unjust treatment of an employee based on their physical or mental disabilities. This form of discrimination can include refusing to hire someone because of their disability, not providing reasonable accommodations, or isolating and bullying an employee because of their disability. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide accommodations for employees with disabilities and make efforts to include them in all aspects of their job.
In conclusion, workplace discrimination is a widespread issue that can have severe consequences for employees and their organizations. It affects people from all walks of life and is a barrier to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employers must take active steps to address and prevent discrimination in all its forms to ensure a fair and equitable workplace for all employees. This includes implementing policies and training programs to educate employees about diversity and inclusion, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering a culture of respect and acceptance towards all individuals. By doing so, not only will they be complying with federal laws, but they will also be creating a happier and more productive work environment for their employees.