Understanding Workplace Discrimination

Everyone agrees that workplace discrimination has no place in the modern business world. But not everyone understands the laws that protect employees against discrimination.

In this case,

what you don't know can hurt you — especially if an aggrieved employee files a discrimination claim against your company. When employers violate workplace discrimination laws — whether deliberately or by accident — they face stiff legal and financial penalties, along with bad publicity, low employee morale and other consequences.

 

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Discrimination occurs when an employee suffers unfavorable or unfair treatment due to their race, religion, national origin, disabled or veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. This group could also include employees who suffer reprisals for opposing workplace discrimination or for reporting violations to the authorities. Federal law prohibits discrimination in a number of work-related areas, including recruiting, hiring, job evaluations, promotion policies, training, compensation and disciplinary action.