Workplace discrimination is a significant problem that can negatively affect an employee’s well-being and performance. If their employer does not take measures that can address the issue, it can worsen and transform their organization into a hostile environment.
Here are four common forms of discrimination in the workplace and how to recognize them.
Age discrimination
Age discrimination can occur through biased hiring processes, limited promotions or wrongful terminations. This kind of mistreatment can happen when a supervisor creates poor assumptions about their employee’s performance or skills based on their age.
Religious discrimination
When a co-worker makes degrading comments about a team member because of their religious beliefs, it can make them feel bullied and isolated. If their manager does not fix the situation, religious discrimination can not only harm the employee’s well-being but the company’s reputation as well.
Disability discrimination
An employee can experience disability discrimination through various forms. Four examples can include unequal pay, unfair promotions, team activity exclusions and a lack of accessibility for their needs.
Pregnancy discrimination
Mistreating someone because they are pregnant is ill-formed and often misogynistic. For example, an employee who is a strong candidate for promotion may be disregarded by a male manager because she is pregnant. This act is not only illegal but also against the law.
An inclusive workspace can foster a positive company image
Employers have a legal duty to protect their employees against workplace discrimination. By learning about how and when these issues can manifest, they can address the root cause of the problem and resolve it internally.