The Different Types of Workplace Discrimination
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Employment Discrimination laws seek to prevent discrimination based on everything from race and sex, to religion and physical ability. A growing body of law also seeks to prevent employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. Discriminatory practices include bias in hiring, promotion, job assignment, termination, compensation, retaliation, and various types of harassment.
Discrimination of any kind is unlawful in the workplace. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) prohibits employers from discriminating against any applicant or employee because of various imbalanced and biased factors. Several laws have been created to bar workplace discrimination. Below are different types of discrimination in the workplace.
•Age: Age discrimination involves treating an applicant or employee less favorably because of his or her age. Because middle-aged employees are at higher risk of being terminated in favor of younger employees, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) forbids discrimination against people who are 40 and older.
•Disability: It is unlawful for an employer to treat a qualified individual with a disability who is an employee or applicant unfavorably because he or she has a disability. People with disabilities are protected by the Americans with Disabilities act and the Rehabilitation Act.
•Equal Pay/Compensation: The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work.
•Genetic Information: The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prohibits genetic information discrimination in employment. Genetic information includes data about an individual's family members, as well as the information about the manifestation of a disease disorder in an individual's family members.
•National Origin: Unfavorable treatment based on an employee being from a particular country of part of the world, because of ethnicity or accent, or because they appear to be of a certain background is illegal.
•Pregnancy: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) forbids discrimination based on pregnancy when it comes to all aspects of employment. If a woman is temporarily unable to perform her job due to a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth she is covered and protected. The employer must treat her in the same way as it treats any other temporarily disabled employee.
•Race/Color: Treating an employee poorly because he or she is of a certain race, possesses characteristics that are associated with a certain race or the complexion of their skin is unlawful in any aspect of employment.
•Religion: An employer may not discriminate against an employee or applicant because of their religious beliefs. The law encompasses all religions from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism to all types of religious, ethical or moral beliefs.
•Retaliation: Whistleblower laws protect employees who disclose certain information about their employers. It is illegal to fire, demote, harass or otherwise retaliate against people who have filed a charge of discrimination.
•Sex: Gender and sex-based discrimination takes place when one gender is preferred over the other. Discrimination against an individual who is transgender is also forbidden.
If you are ever the victim of any type of workplace discrimination make sure to contact an experienced and successful employment lawyer for a free legal consultation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Fernandez & Lauby LLP
Fernandez & Lauby LLP is an Orange County employment law firm with some of the most successful and experienced labor attorneys. These lawyers specialize in handling a wide range of different employment law cases. Contact for a free legal consultation today.
Copyright Fernandez & Lauby LLP
More information about Fernandez & Lauby LLP
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
•Age: Age discrimination involves treating an applicant or employee less favorably because of his or her age. Because middle-aged employees are at higher risk of being terminated in favor of younger employees, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) forbids discrimination against people who are 40 and older.
•Disability: It is unlawful for an employer to treat a qualified individual with a disability who is an employee or applicant unfavorably because he or she has a disability. People with disabilities are protected by the Americans with Disabilities act and the Rehabilitation Act.
•Equal Pay/Compensation: The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work.
•Genetic Information: The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prohibits genetic information discrimination in employment. Genetic information includes data about an individual's family members, as well as the information about the manifestation of a disease disorder in an individual's family members.
•National Origin: Unfavorable treatment based on an employee being from a particular country of part of the world, because of ethnicity or accent, or because they appear to be of a certain background is illegal.
•Pregnancy: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) forbids discrimination based on pregnancy when it comes to all aspects of employment. If a woman is temporarily unable to perform her job due to a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth she is covered and protected. The employer must treat her in the same way as it treats any other temporarily disabled employee.
•Race/Color: Treating an employee poorly because he or she is of a certain race, possesses characteristics that are associated with a certain race or the complexion of their skin is unlawful in any aspect of employment.
•Religion: An employer may not discriminate against an employee or applicant because of their religious beliefs. The law encompasses all religions from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism to all types of religious, ethical or moral beliefs.
•Retaliation: Whistleblower laws protect employees who disclose certain information about their employers. It is illegal to fire, demote, harass or otherwise retaliate against people who have filed a charge of discrimination.
•Sex: Gender and sex-based discrimination takes place when one gender is preferred over the other. Discrimination against an individual who is transgender is also forbidden.
If you are ever the victim of any type of workplace discrimination make sure to contact an experienced and successful employment lawyer for a free legal consultation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Fernandez & Lauby LLP
Fernandez & Lauby LLP is an Orange County employment law firm with some of the most successful and experienced labor attorneys. These lawyers specialize in handling a wide range of different employment law cases. Contact for a free legal consultation today.
Copyright Fernandez & Lauby LLP
More information about Fernandez & Lauby LLP
View all articles published by Fernandez & Lauby LLP
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
