There are many kinds of workplace discrimination and harassment. Some types are very apparent, while other forms are subtler and less clear. Discrimination happens when someone is treated differently than other employees due to gender, religion, national origin, sexual preference, or race. Harassment occurs when an employee is subjected to actions and/or speech that are so extreme that the workplace becomes a hostile environment.
Antidiscrimination Laws
The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) is the agency in charge of enforcing antidiscrimination laws in the workplace. These laws are in place to protect employees from being discriminated against on the job. For example, employers cannot hire, fire, promote, or compensate workers in a discriminatory manner. All employees should receive the same fair treatment no matter their sex, race, religion, sexual preference, age, or disability, as long as they are able to perform their job duties. The EEOC also shields workers from being harassed through comments, jokes, slurs, unwanted sexual advances, and religious pressure.
Gender/Sexual Discrimination
Discriminating against employees due to their gender is illegal, yet it continues to occur in the workplace. Laws such as the Equal Pay Act and Title VII were created to curtail unfair on-the-job treatment based on sex. It’s not discrimination to treat men and women differently, as long as there’s no harm done. For example, providing separate bathrooms is an acceptable practice. It is discrimination, however, when employees are promoted, given bonuses, or hired due to their gender. Sexual harassment falls into this category as well and is illegal. Both men and women have the right to work in a place free of unwanted sexual and romantic overtures.
Racial Discrimination
Discrimination due to race or ethnicity occurs in various ways. It can be blatant and obvious, or it can be hidden and hard to detect. State and federal laws prohibit racial harassment and discrimination. Sometimes employers are unaware that they are discriminating against workers in this manner. For example, some human resources professionals may give their employees tests or have workplace policies and hiring practices that inadvertently single out specific races.
Age Discrimination
Youthful and elderly employees are sometimes subjected to age discrimination. Employers are not allowed to pay a person depending on his or her age. They are also not allowed to hire, promote, or fire based on age, unless the job involves an age-related legality, such as being old enough to serve or sell alcohol at a restaurant or store. It can be challenging to prove age discrimination in many cases.
Religious Discrimination
In an average workplace, employees come from different backgrounds and have a wide variety of religious beliefs. Ideally, this diverse group of individuals can coexist harmoniously, but this is not always the case. Religious practices such as prayer, fasting, and wearing certain hairstyles and clothing should be allowed as long as work performance isn’t hindered. Any harassing actions or comments about religious preferences should be disallowed on the worksite.
Disabilities Discrimination
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. This law requires that reasonable accommodations be made for employees who have various types of disabilities, as defined by the ADA. The ADA’s definition of a disability is a physical or mental limitation that restricts major life activities, such as talking, walking, learning, hearing, and seeing.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Employers cannot discriminate against female workers because they are pregnant. Discrimination and harassment are also prohibited for issues due to childbirth or any pregnancy-related condition. As long as a woman can perform her job duties, her employment is protected. When she returns from maternity leave, she must be reinstated to her same position or one that is comparable.
Workplaces should be safe havens for all men and women, no matter their age, religion, sexual preference, or disability. As long as employees perform their job duties proficiently, all workers should receive the same fair treatment by their employers and coworkers.
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The content on our website is only meant to provide general information and is not legal advice. We make our best efforts to make sure the information is accurate, but we cannot guarantee it. Do not rely on the content as legal advice. For assistance with legal problems or for a legal inquiry please contact you attorney.