Workplace Discrimination Types

What you’ll discover:

Disability Due to Age
Compensation
Harassment
Genetic Information, National Origin, Racial Discrimination, and Other Types of Discrimination

Workplace discrimination occurs when a person is treated unfairly at work because of one or more variables such as race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Discrimination in the workplace produces an unpleasant and sometimes hazardous work environment for both the targeted employee and other workers. There are several types of discrimination, and they are all illegal under rules enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Companies may defend themselves by implementing an Anti-Discrimination Policy that describes how the organization will be proactive in eradicating and combating all forms of workplace discrimination.

Age

When an employee is treated unjustly because of their age, this is referred to as age discrimination. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), on the other hand, exclusively forbids discrimination against employees over the age of 40. Employees under the age of 40 are not protected, while many states have regulations in place to protect younger workers.

Harassing a worker because of their age is illegal. Harassment happens when statements are repeated and/or harsh enough to produce an unpleasant or hostile work atmosphere, or when the conduct results in an adverse employment decision.

Disability

Companies are obligated by law to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled job applicants and employees. Companies are not permitted to discriminate against handicapped workers in any way. This covers work assignments, hiring, firing, promotions, training, and layoffs, as well as any other employment situation. Companies may also not ask job candidates medical inquiries or require them to undergo a medical checkup before hiring them.

Compensation

Men and women in the same employment must be paid equally for equal labor under the Equal Pay Act (EPA). In other words, men and women who do basically equivalent occupations should be paid equally. This rule applies to all forms of remuneration, including overtime pay, salary, stock options, bonuses, holiday pay, profit sharing, life insurance, and any other type of income.

Harassment

Harassment is illegal in the workplace and becomes illegal in the following circumstances:

The employee is compelled to put up with the unacceptable behavior in order to keep his or her job.
The harassment is so severe that it makes the workplace unfriendly, abusive, or threatening.

When a supervisor’s harassment results in unfavorable employment action, employers are held liable.

Information about Genetics

Employers are not permitted by law to discriminate against workers based on their genetic information. Genetic information covers the employee’s own genetic testing as well as the genetic tests of family members.

Origin of Nationality

It is prohibited to discriminate against an employee or candidate based on their country of origin, appearance, accent, or ethnicity. This legislation prohibits job discrimination in any form.

Racial

Although there are many other types of discrimination, most people are acquainted with racial discrimination. This is treating an employee negatively because of their ethnicity or specific qualities connected with race, such as facial features or skin color.

Discrimination of Other Kinds

Several types of discrimination exist, such as:

Religious Retaliation During Pregnancy
Sexual Harassment Towards Women

Employees are protected from various sorts of discrimination under the law, which helps to ensure that the workplace remains a welcoming and productive environment, and that workers have equal opportunities for progress.