Common Types of Workplace Discrimination

Common Types of Workplace Discrimination

About 3 out of 5 workers have witnessed or been subjected to workplace discrimination, making it a very common problem in the United States. In this blog, we take a look at a few common types of workplace discrimination. We’ll also discuss what employees and employers should do about discrimination, and go over some tips on how to avoid discrimination in the workplace. 

The Most Common Types Of Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination can take many forms in the workplace, but a few common types of discrimination include:

• Racial discrimination – Examples of this include certain races being subjected to racist remarks at work, being excluded from meetings, or being paid less than peers of other races.
  
  
• Disability discrimination – If an employer fails to take proper steps to accommodate a worker with a disability, this is a type of discrimination. Refusing to fix an elevator to accommodate a worker in a wheelchair is just one example.
  
  
• Sexual discrimination (sexism) – Women may be harassed or subjected to unwanted remarks about their appearance, paid less than male coworkers, or otherwise treated unfavorably by employers. While sexual harassment is more common among women, the same standards also apply to men.
  
  
• Age discrimination (ageism) – As the workforce grows older, age-related discrimination is more common. For example, if an older worker is fired and then replaced by a younger worker doing the same job, this could qualify as a type of discrimination.
  
  
• Retaliation – This can occur to people who have reported discrimination in the past. Retaliation can take the form of cuts in hours or wages, bullying and harassment, failure to promote, and more. 
  

What Employees And Employers Should Do If There Is Discrimination? 

It is the duty of both employees and employers to report discrimination to HR or the other relevant authorities within the company when it occurs. In many cases, this may be enough to resolve the situation.

In addition, prompt reporting of discrimination also helps create a “paper trail” and evidence of the discrimination that may be useful when filing a lawsuit or taking other future legal action. 

If there is no action taken and the situation does not get better, a complaint may be filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). 

How To Avoid Discrimination In The Workplace 

Proper training is essential to avoid discrimination in the workplace. Educating employees and employers about their duty to identify, report, and avoid discrimination in the future is the best way to prevent it from recurring.

Employers are also responsible for creating a positive, professional work environment where people of all types are professional in conduct and speech, and refuse to participate or condone any type of discriminatory behavior.

What Should Employers Do To Avoid Discrimination Suits?

Generally, best practices include training, an appropriate reporting procedure, a written policy in the employee handbook, and quality investigative processes to determine if discrimination has occurred. We recommend avoiding questions that naturally lead to discovery of information that can’t be used because it would be discriminatory in interviews or application processes.

Get Help If You’ve Experienced Discrimination – Contact The Law Office Of JD Foster

As a leading Ellis County employment law attorney, JD Foster is here to help you navigate claims of discrimination at work. Contact us online or call our office at (972) 878-9105 to learn more.