Workplace discrimination happens when an employee or staff member is treated unfavorably because of significant characteristics, such as age, race, gender, or disability. Under the law, workplace discrimination is against the law, and federal laws ensure to protect workers from retaliation. However, every working person must know how to stand and take action against discrimination. In this guide, you will learn about the ways how you can eliminate the discrimination taking place in an office.
What is discrimination in the workplace?
Discrimination occurs when an employee is treated differently because of gender, religion, or disability. According to the Civil Rights Act, it is unlawful to discriminate during the process of hiring, termination, promotion, and other facets of employment on the basis of any characteristic. Discrimination is commonly based on race, religion, gender, disability, or national origin. U.S Supreme Court has ruled that the Civil Rights Act provision bans discrimination in the workplace while protecting the rights of employees. If any staff member treats the other member unfavorably because of different characteristics, it is unlawful. Discrimination occurs when someone is getting less paid than other employees for no reason. It also occurs when certain rules put certain staff members at a disadvantage.
Types of discrimination in the workplace
Discrimination in a workplace can be of any type, and one who possesses such behavior towards others is performing an unlawful act. The different types of employment discrimination are:
· Age
· Race
· Religion
· Skin color
· Genetic information
· Pregnancy or postpartum
· Mental disability
· Physical disability
Workplace discrimination could occur in any situation, including:
· Hiring or suggesting preferred candidates in a job vacancy
· Excluding or termination potential candidates during the recruitment
· Denying compensation or benefits for certain employees
· Discriminating on female employees when giving maternity leave
· Discrimination when issuing promotions.
How to stand up against workplace discrimination
A lot of people find speaking up against discrimination in s workplace risky. However, nothing should stop you from filing your complaint. Having strong proof or evidence can strengthen your case and increase the chances of elimination of stigma. In today’s modern time, it is crucial for workers to practice leadership change, ethical decision-making, and conflict management in the workplace. Several management techniques have highlighted the importance of preventing workplace discrimination from happening. They subsequently recommend enacting anti-discrimination policies in the first place as a line of defense against biases. Besides implementing such rights protection policies, there are few other ways that can be used to speak up against discrimination.
Identify discriminatory behavior
To start speaking up against discrimination, it is important to first distinguish when a co-worker perpetuates such behavior. The discriminatory behavior is said to be committed if the worker has a partiality against race, gender, age, sexuality, or disability. Sexually loaded comments or statements against female workers are a clear example of workplace discrimination that can ruin the self-confidence of most female employees. Such acts from co-workers are always obvious and therefore must be identified. After determining the place where bias may be appearing, make a detailed report against it. Doing a proper investigation could help you appropriately document the sensitive matter before sending it to your superiors.
Seek help
Discrimination in the workplace is often considered a risky and sensitive matter. However, it should not be left untreated. If you witness any type of discrimination taking place within the workplace on some level, make sure not to hesitate to ask for help. Talk to your colleagues and stand up against the stigma. Find authentic help and promote dignity and respect for all the people working in an office. The authorities must develop a written policy for employees that defines procedures and rules. They must educate all the workers about the potential actions against discrimination. Also, it is crucial to implement an anti-retaliation program within the workplace.
Promote communication
To eliminate discrimination within the workplace, you have to focus on healthy communication and conversation. When most people within the workplace don’t understand the actual situation, they tend to believe what they hear first. Therefore, make sure to talk to supervisors and file your complaint. The superiors, on the other hand, must deal with the complaints quickly and confidentially without highlighting them. A workplace should have a robust system and procedure for managing complaints. When an office plays its role in taking such measurements, it ensures the staff that their differences are respected in the workplace.
Final verdict
Discrimination in the workplace is the most disturbing and stressful behavior one can experience. The first responsibility of eliminating discrimination lies on the employer of the company. They should be more proactive in cultivating a discrimination-free environment. Also, they must formally reprimand the people exhibiting such behavior. Only following such actions can introduce positive change and as a result, bias-free and equal work can be developed and nurtured.
