Imagine going to work every day feeling like you don’t belong, or that you have to work extra hard just to get treated fairly. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many people who experience discrimination in the workplace. This means being treated differently because of their race, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
This isn’t just unfair it hurts everyone. When people are treated poorly at work, it can make them feel stressed and unhappy. This can lead to a bad work environment for everyone and even hurt the company’s bottom line.
The good news is that things can change. Many companies are working hard to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all their employees. Remember, you can talk to an employment discrimination attorney if you experience it yourself.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what discrimination looks like, how companies can fight it, and what you can do if you ever become a victim.
Common Types/Examples of Workplace Discrimination
Discrimination can happen in many ways, making it harder for some people to succeed at work. Here are a few of the most common scenarios:
Being treated differently because of race or ethnicity
This could mean having a harder time getting hired, getting paid less than someone else doing the same job, or not getting a chance to move up in the company.
The gender gaps
Women still often earn less money than men for doing the same jobs. They might also have a harder time getting promoted to leadership positions.
Age discrimination
Sometimes younger workers are seen as lacking experience, while older workers might be worried, they’ll lose their jobs because of their age. It’s a complicated scenario.
Religion
Everyone should feel comfortable practicing their religion at work. This means companies should be flexible with schedules for religious holidays and be open to reasonable requests from employees.
Disability
People with disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else. Companies should make adjustments, like providing special equipment or changing work schedules, so people with disabilities can do their jobs well.
Sexual orientation and gender identity
No one should be treated differently because of who they love or how they identify themselves.
How to Resolve Discrimination in the Workplace
Creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected takes effort on everyone’s part. Here are some key things companies can do to achieve this:
Setting clear rules against unfair treatment:
Companies should have clear policies that say it’s wrong to treat someone differently based on their race, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. These policies should be easy for everyone to find and understand, and they should be updated regularly.
Holding training to spot biases
We all have unconscious biases, which are ideas we might not even realize we have that can influence our behavior. Training sessions can help employees recognize these biases and learn how to treat everyone fairly. These sessions should also highlight the benefits of a diverse workforce.
Appointing leaders from all backgrounds
When leadership teams reflect the makeup of the company, it shows everyone that there’s a chance to succeed no matter who you are. Additionally, diverse leaders are better at spotting and addressing potential biases in the company.
Providing safe ways to report problems
Employees who experience unfair treatment need to feel comfortable reporting it. Companies should have clear procedures for making complaints, and these procedures should be fair, confidential, and easy to use.
Taking complaints seriously
When someone reports unfair treatment, the company needs to take it seriously. This means investigating the complaint and taking appropriate action, which could involve disciplining or even firing the person who acted unfairly.
What to Do as a Victim of Workplace Discrimination
If you believe you’ve been discriminated against at work, here are some steps you can take:
- Keep a Record: Write down everything that happens. Include the date, time, location, and what exactly was said or done. If anyone saw what happened, note their names too. This record will be helpful if you decide to file a complaint.
- Report the Problem: Many companies have Human Resources departments that handle employee concerns. You can file a complaint with HR explaining what happened.
- Talk to a Lawyer: An attorney who specializes in employment law can explain your rights and advise you on your legal options.
- Consider Other Solutions: Sometimes, problems can be resolved without a lawsuit. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a process where a neutral third party helps you and the company reach an agreement. However, talking to a lawyer first is important to make sure ADR is the right choice for you.
Wrapping Up
It’s okay to feel hesitant to speak up. But remember, you deserve to be treated fairly at work. There are resources available to help you, and you have rights that protect you from discrimination.
