Understanding Workplace Discrimination and How to Report It

Workplace discrimination is an issue that affects many employees. Despite laws and regulations designed to protect workers, discrimination still occurs. Understanding what workplace discrimination is and knowing how to address it can help you safeguard your rights. Here, we go over the definition of workplace discrimination and what to do if you ever find yourself in that situation.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination occurs when an employee or job applicant is treated unfairly because of characteristics protected by law. These characteristics often include:

• Race or ethnicity
• Gender or gender identity
• Age (40 years or older in the U.S.)
• Religion
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Pregnancy
• National origin

Discrimination can show up in many ways. Here are the most common:

• Hiring and firing: Refusing to hire or wrongfully terminating someone based on a protected characteristic.
• Promotion and pay: Denying promotions, raises, or equal pay due to discriminatory reasons.
• Workplace harassment: Creating a hostile work environment through offensive jokes, slurs, or other unwelcome behaviors.
• Unequal opportunities: Denying access to training, benefits, or assignments based on protected traits.

Recognizing Subtle Forms of Discrimination

Discrimination isn’t always obvious—it can show up in subtle ways that are harder to spot but just as harmful. These small, everyday actions can create an unfair and uncomfortable environment for certain people. Here are some examples:

• Skipping over qualified employees for promotions: If someone keeps getting passed over for a promotion despite being well-qualified, and there’s no clear reason why, it could be a sign of bias.
• Giving less desirable tasks to certain employees: Sometimes, people are stuck doing boring or low-priority work because of unfair assumptions about their abilities or roles.
• Applying rules unfairly: Some employees might face stricter rules or harsher consequences compared to others for the same situations.

These kinds of behaviors might not seem like a big deal at first, but they add up and can make a workplace feel unfair and unwelcoming. It’s important for both managers and employees to to pay attention and call out these issues.

Steps to Take If You Experience Workplace Discrimination

If you believe that you are experiencing workplace discrimination, you should take action. Not only do you want to protect yourself, but if you are being discriminated against, chances are someone else is too. When employees speak up, it encourages companies to address issues, improve policies, and hold wrongdoers accountable. Here are the steps to take if you experience workplace discrimination:

1. Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of incidents, including dates, times, locations, people involved, and what happened. Save emails, messages, or other evidence that may support your claim.
2. Review Company Policies: Most companies have anti-discrimination policies outlined in their employee handbook. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines to understand your rights and the reporting process.
3. Report Internally: File a complaint with your human resources (HR) department or a designated manager. Provide all the evidence you’ve collected. Reporting internally is often an essential first step in resolving the issue.
4. Seek External Help: If the issue persists or your employer does not address your complaint, you can file a charge with external agencies, such as:
   • The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the U.S.
   • Your state’s labor department or human rights agency.
5. Consult a Lawyer: If needed, seek advice from an employment attorney who specializes in workplace discrimination cases. They can help you understand your legal options and represent you if the situation escalates to a lawsuit.

Final Thoughts

Workplace discrimination is a serious issue that should not be tolerated. By recognizing the signs, documenting incidents, and taking the appropriate steps, you can protect yourself and contribute to a more equitable work environment. If you feel that you are being discriminated against, take the necessary steps listed above.

See Also:

• 5 Things Your Boss Might Say That Could Be Discrimination
• Sexism In The Workplace: Examples and Legal Rights

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. It provides general information and is not intended and should not be construed as professional advice. The author is not your attorney, accountant, financial planner or any other professional and no professional-client relationship is created. We do not represent that the information provided is accurate or up-to-date as laws and regulations are always changing. If you have an issue that requires professional help, you should contact the appropriate professional to help you on your specific set of facts. Please read the Terms and Conditions for additional information.