You might not be aware, but workplace discrimination exists even today. Many employees get laid off or skipped in the hiring process due to certain prejudice that the employee possesses. Even though this is not as apparent as you would think, it certainly happens a lot. Way too much than we want it to.
Employment discrimination occurs when an employee or person applying for a job is treated differently or unfavorably compared to others based on race, gender, religion, or nationality. There are many scenarios that this can happen in and all of them are illegal.
Employment Discrimination Today
Back in 2006, there was a report which emerged about prejudice towards African American people in the workplace. Both the colleagues and the manager behaved very badly towards their colored colleagues. Some of them used slurs and the others went as far as to write or etch racist messages in the bathroom.
One of the workers that were discriminated against even said that one of the supervisors went as to call one of the African American workers a monkey.
The workers finally got fed up and decided to file a lawsuit against the company. A total of 18 workers filed a complaint of job discrimination in accordance with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. An investigation was immediately held organized.
Many workplace discrimination lawsuits are possible today due to discrimination of various kinds. Suing an employer-based on discrimination is highly appropriate and if something like that occurs it should be pursued. This is why there are companies that fund discrimination lawsuits in order to provide help to those who are in such a predicament.
Employee Discrimination Origin
Based on the Civil Rights Act that was made official in 1964, it is highly illegal to harbor any prejudice towards an employee or a potential one based on the color of their skin, their beliefs, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. The law refers to employment, promotion, referral, discharge, and other facets related to employment.
Additionally, federal contractors must provide equal employment opportunities not regarding to sex, color, religion, nationally, etc. This is supported based on Executive Order Num. 11246, brought by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program.
Is Discrimination the Same As Harassment
Many people are rightfully confused when trying to distinguish between discrimination and harassment. The two occurrences are very similar and do happen often, much more often than we would like it to be. But the two are not and should not be considered the same.
Harassment falls under the category of discrimination. As such, there are additionally many different types of forms of harassment that can be counted and which regularly occur. It includes the behavior of a client, co-worker, a client, the manager, or anyone else by that matter in the workplace. The said harassment can be based on color, race, sex, nationality, age, disability, etc.
Forms of Employment Discrimination
There are many types of discrimination that happen at the workplace. In order to truly understand the situation happening to you need to be fully aware of the potential circumstances and problems.
The most common types of discrimination happen based on age, ethnicity, gender, skin color, nationality, physical or mental disability, genetic information, pregnancy and parenthood, and finally having a relationship with someone who maybe discriminated against,.
Workers who are discriminated against because of the given reasons should not stand for it and should take immediate action.
Distribution of Complaints
According to the studies conducted on the findings last year, the most common complaint is retaliation. This is mainly done by employees or managers who create a hostile environment to the worker which most often than not results in a worker getting discharged, downgraded, getting a salary cut, for inexplicit reasons.
The second complaints that occur very often are due to sex discrimination and race. Gender equality and race problems are a hot issue in recent times and are held very seriously. We might expect that the number of these types of complaints to rise and things might even get worse. Disability discrimination is also very high in recent times.
Other forms of discrimination that followed the given one’s last year included discrimination based on age, nationality, and color.
Additionally, women are the group that is the most discriminated against. Reports say that the pay gap between sexes is still very significant in most countries. Women are still not paid enough as they should and are not hired in the same positions as men are.
Furthermore, discrimination against racial and ethnic groups is still very much apparent. People of different skin colors are generally seen as a way to destroy the national identity of a company. This is the reason many stirs away from or is not entirely willing to hire people of a different color.
Religion is a major factor as well. There are many examples and instigations where employers have decided to move away from qualified workers only because he is not of a suitable religion.
