Employees have a right to a safe workplace. One way to make a workplace safe for employees is by keeping out discrimination.
Discrimination is the unfair and unjust act of treating people as lesser than those around them. Discrimination can be done intentionally and unintentionally. Regardless of why or how it happens, discrimination is harmful to the recipients.
Companies and employers have a duty to uphold this safe work environment. When someone is a victim of discrimination, it is up to the executives and managers to handle the issue discreetly and with justice. There are many kinds of discrimination that can lead to harm. Here’s what you should know:
1. Age discrimination
It can be hard for people to find new jobs as they get older. Many employers look down on people who are older because they may be less likely to learn new skills and retain information. Employees over 40 years of age have protective rights. They can’t be fired or demoted because of their age. They also can’t train younger people who would later take the older employee’s position.
2. Sex or gender discrimination
Sex has been a long-standing topic of conversation in the workplace. For years, women have fought to be allowed to find equal employment. Today, an employee can’t be discriminated against because of their sex. That includes people who may have a different sexual orientation or sexual identity.
3. Race discrimination
Another battle that’s been fought for years is the right for anyone of any race to seek equal employment. People of any skin color or national origin can’t be discriminated against for something they can’t change. Furthermore, employees have rights that protect them from discrimination that would target their hairstyle or texture or impose arbitrary beauty and grooming standards that favor White employees.
Understanding your legal options
Unfortunately, employees still face discrimination. If this happens to you, it’s important to understand your legal rights when dealing with this issue.
