There are many laws fixed in the system of the country defining and enforcing all the discrimination practices, not legal, even by the governing bodies. Clearly stating the bill of civil rights, which is applied worldwide, is the milestone for all discriminating activities. This law implies that it is entirely illegal for any workplace employer to recruit people by discriminating based on sex, religion, race, color, or origin. It is not only stated about hiring but also for the promotion, referrals, and the necessary aspects of the business. It is also reported that in case of not obeying these acts, the employer will be imprisoned. Then, the company will be terminated. This law was passed in the 20th century, and even after more than 20 years, we are facing some issues. These issues are way ahead of what the law was proposed to stop.

We have compiled all the discrimination issues faced by employees in the workplace with complete meaning and examples, have a look.

Understanding the Differences Between Discrimination, Bullying, and Harassment

Three main aspects are revolving these days in our society, whether it is a pre-school boy, a highschool girl, someone working in an international corporation, or even a housewife/husband. Those aspects are bullying, harassment, and discrimination. The hardest part, therefore, is to differentiate discrimination from other elements. Understanding the proper definition will help you improve the relations within your working environment.

Discrimination is basically when a person is getting different treatment that other people based on a particular characteristic. Also, people termed it as favoritism towards a specific person and can not be directed towards a single person.

Harassment is when an employee undergoes intimidating, offensive, humiliating, or threatening behavior or remarks based on their particular characteristic. One of its branches is sexual harassment, which is an extreme form. In this form, the employee faces unwelcoming attention of sexual nature. 

A behavior affecting the mental health of the employee is known as bullying. It often comes as a result of unreasonable conduct that happened repeatedly.

Types of Discrimination

There are many different types of discrimination, some of which are listed below:

Religious

In terms of religion, it is often said that an employer has no right to discriminate against the employee based on their religious beliefs or their spouse’s. It involves spiritual beliefs and systematic religious virtues. It also includes that the recruiter or manager should stay away from the employee’s religious matters as long as it has nothing to do with the company’s performance.

Age

Employees can not be treated differently based on age set by the government to work. It is stated in the law of age discrimination that the employer can take any type of work per the company policies with the employee. People over age 40 will never be treated differently or else considered illegal.

Gender 

Most of the employees nowadays undergo an attack concerning gender discrimination. It was a major of our society previously; therefore, employers aren’t ought to take their minds off it. Employers have been treated person differently between two genders. They pay between the two varies appointing in the same position also job security.

Pregnancy

It is weird how employers treat pregnant women as permanently unable to work. When the law has clearly stated that pregnancy should be tackled as a temporary sickness and after maternity leave, women can join back. Unfortunately, women don’t get such treatment and have a hard time going through the situation.

Racial

The racial factor is another discrimination going on for a very long time. Many employers tend to make decisions and take people certain advantages based on a similar race. However, as per the law employer’s choice for choosing any employee for an urgent task must be fair and square.

Effects of Discrimination in the Workplace

There are although the endless number of behavior faced by the employees that fall under the term of discrimination. However, nobody seems to talk about these issues as they are used to it. Few of the most common effects caused by discrimination are as follows:

• Rejected the benefit of employees

• Discarding leave for disability, maternity, etc. even the retirement options.

• Not approving termination

• Imposing undesirable shift hours.

• Lacking major facilities although given to all employees

• Favoritism based on similar race, religion, culture, or nationality.

Examples of Discrimination in the Workplace

We have included some examples of employees going through significant discrimination issues in the workplace. It is not restrained to the typical workers but the people on significant designations too. When a supervisor, manager, or colleague mistreats others based on religion, gender, or race. It is quite an insult for the person going through it.

Employers also discriminate against employees during the promotion period and choose people of similar race or religion, known to be organized discrimination. 

It isn’t just about the behavior within the workplace, but it goes ahead reaching firing practices. People don’t agree with the fact that all these sorts lie under the umbrella of discrimination. All of these examples help people learn about their rights.