3 Real World Examples of Employment Discrimination

Employment discrimination is still a common and recurring theme within the workplace. It can come in many forms, be extremely overt, quietly subtle, or fall somewhere in between. If a member of a protected class is treated differently than his or her peers without proper cause, however, employment discrimination may be at play.

Do you need guidance on what employment discrimination actually looks like when it happens? Let us share three real world examples of employment discrimination.

1. Race discrimination.

An African-American is repeatedly overlooked for a promotion, even though he is clearly the most qualified employee. While he has been locked into the same position without growth within the company for five years, newer and less-qualified employees have risen to surpass him. When he speaks to his supervisor, who is in charge of job promotions, he is greeted by racial slurs and derogatory comments. This employee realizes he is most likely not receiving a promotion because his supervisor is racist and discriminatory. Denying a promotion on the basis of race is illegal and immoral. Promotions should be given to the most qualified, regardless of what they look like.

2. Age discrimination.

A sixty-five-year-old works at a technology start-up in the external communication department. Although she is proficient in all social media platforms, she is often left out of meetings that revolve around any social network. She expresses her complaints to a team member, who responds by saying, “Just let the younger employees handle it,” or, “Traditional communications seem to be more your speed.” Even though she is a fast learner, has handled technological advancements in the past with ease, and completely understands the benefits of each platform, she is constantly excluded from any meetings or projects regarding social media. This may be inappropriate behavior. Condescending comments about age should never enter the workplace. Each employee should have equal opportunity to prove themselves within a specific field, regardless of age.

3. Gender discrimination.

A powerful attorney’s office consists of twenty men and one woman. She went to an Ivy League school for both her undergraduate and law degrees, unlike many of her constituents. No matter how many cases she wins or incredible ideas she brings to the table, she is always given less of a voice. In fact, her male counterparts call her “sweetheart” and place her in charge of retrieving lunch for the mid-day meeting. No matter how conservative or revealing her outfit, at least one member of the team always makes a comment on her appearance. Gender is no reason to treat someone different, especially if he or she is equal in qualifications and work performance.

Discrimination occurs every day in the workplace. You need to report it and try to stop it before it worsens. For more information on this or any legal issue you are facing, do not wait to contact a member of our experienced, local legal team.