What is Discrimination in The Workplace?

Discrimination at work is when you're treated differently because you belong to a particular group. The law calls it being part of a protected class. These protected classes include ethnicity, race, age, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or religious beliefs.

Discrimination at work can occur between coworkers, employers, and employees, and with job applicants. Whether unintentional or on purpose, workplace discrimination, regardless of the person’s intention, is unlawful.

Common Forms of Discrimination in The Workplace

Various forms of discrimination can occur at work, and they are generally centered on the stated protected classes. They are protected by many state and federal laws and include the following:

• Race Discrimination – The unfair treatment of an employee or job applicant due to their race or related characteristic is unlawful. Color discrimination, which occurs when a person is treated unfairly due to their complexion or skin color, is likewise illegal.

• Gender and Sex Discrimination – Under federal and state laws, job content, instead of title, determines whether a job is substantially equal. Employers are likewise prohibited from indicating a preference for a specific gender or sex in job descriptions or postings.

• Disability Discrimination – It’s unlawful to take adverse actions against qualified employees or job applicants due to their disabilities. Employers can’t refuse to pay disabled people an unfair wage, hire disabled applicants, or deny them reasonable accommodations if they’re qualified for a certain job.

• Religious Discrimination – Employers can’t treat employees adversely or unfairly for their religious practices or beliefs. They are legally obligated to provide reasonable accommodations if employees require space, time, or other requirements for their spiritual practices.

• Age Discrimination – Employers are prohibited from specifying age preferences in their internships, descriptions, postings, and company documents, such as promotion criteria. They likewise can’t deny incentives, compensation, and benefits based on age.

• Pregnancy Discrimination – Employers are required to treat pregnancy as they would treat temporary illnesses. This means that pregnant women can’t be terminated, denied a promotion or a job opportunity, or have their wages reduced because they’re pregnant.

• LGBTQIA+ Discrimination – It’s illegal for employers to fire a person or treat them differently because they are gay, transgender, or fall under any category in the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. They also can’t deny employment, workplace benefits, or fair compensation based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

If somebody at work is treating you differently because you belong to one of these classes, then you may be being discriminated against at work. What's important also is who is discriminating against you. If it's a supervisor, the supervisor is a representative of the company, and the law says that the employer is strictly liable for the supervisor's discrimination against you.

Get In Touch With Our Experienced Ventura Employment Discrimination Lawyers Today

Whether people refuse to believe or acknowledge it, discrimination is real and happening in workplaces across the country. If you have been unfairly treated because of how you come across, who you are, or how you are perceived, you have been discriminated against.

If you feel that you've been discriminated against at work, get in touch with Bamieh & De Smeth. Our experienced Ventura employment discrimination lawyers will be happy to help you. Reach us online or dial 805-643-5555 to arrange your free consultation.