Discrimination in the workplace occurs when an employer treats one employee differently than another due to factors such as race, religion or disability. The workforce has come a long way in recognizing people with disabilities and providing them with reasonable accommodations; however, discrimination is still alive and well in workplaces around the United States.
What are some examples of disability discrimination in Washington state?
Passing someone over for a promotion
Employees get passed over for promotions all the time and for a number of reasons. What makes it possible disability discrimination is when an employee is not given the chance to try for a promotion simply because their employer assumes they will not be able to handle the job due to their disability. Employees who succeed in their current roles should have an equal opportunity to apply for a more advanced role so long as they have the qualifications.
Subjecting someone to harassment
Discrimination can also come in more blatant forms like verbal harassment. Teasing someone about their disability, making offensive jokes and repeatedly asking intrusive questions about their health, especially when unrelated to their job, can all be forms of disability discrimination.
Assuming someone has a disability
Discrimination by perception can also occur in the workplace. This happens when someone assumes that another person has a disability that they, in fact, do not actually have.
Discrimination in the workplace hurts not only the target of the discrimination, but it demeans the entire culture of the office. Recognizing disability discrimination is the first step to helping prevent the act.