It causes the victim great suffering and leads to anger, mistrust, anxiety, depression, low morale, and even stress-related injuries.
The discriminatory act can be obvious or subtle and difficult to pinpoint unless you know the signs. As such, many employment lawyers and offices like www.chwilliamslaw.com emphasize the importance of knowing your rights. You will be better equipped to take control of the situation and defend yourself when you know the signs of workplace discrimination. To help you out, we’ve listed some subtle and obvious examples below.
They are asking you suspicious questions during the interview
One of the early signs that a company has a discriminatory culture is if the employer asks weird questions to an applicant during the interview. These questions may include inappropriate queries, offensive remarks, or assumptions regarding a candidate’s gender identity or expression, sex, race, age, disability, religion, and so forth.
As humans, there’s no denying that we all have personal preferences. However, this shouldn’t influence our objectiveness in the professional field. For example, if you’re over 40 years old and an interviewer suddenly makes statements about your age and strength, this can be a precursor to a workplace atmosphere of discrimination.
There is a lack of diversity within the company
A more noticeable sign you should watch out for is if the organization lacks diversity in its workforce. For example, if you notice that the company hires people of the same race, age, gender, or other demographics, then there may be a culture of discrimination.
Diversity in the office is all about building and nurturing an environment of inclusion. There shouldn't be any bias when it comes to the hiring process. A good company will understand the differences of people and value the unique skills they can bring.
People speak to you in a harsh or demeaning tone
The way your employer or colleagues communicate with you is another factor to consider. Most work environments tend to have people who love to make jokes and tease others. However, if you notice that they keep giving you offhand comments, offensive jokes, or speak to you in a harsh or belittling tone, that’s a sign of discrimination.
Sometimes, they may hide those offensive remarks as “simple teasing” or a joke. But if it occurs at a frequent rate and creates a hostile work environment, then your employer should be held accountable for their actions.
You are not being paid equally
Many companies prohibit their employees from talking about their salaries to their coworkers because it exposes unfair pay practices. However, discussing the details of your salary is a right that all workers hold, and it’s protected by federal law.
Doing this can help you identify if there is pay discrimination happening in the workplace. You may be surprised to find a coworker who has the same position and experience as you, earning more. This unequal pay is a sign of discrimination, especially if the other person has a different gender, age, or race.
There are unfair promotions in the organization
Aside from unequal pay, you must also look out for employers that overlook and deny certain workers of promotion. All employees should have a fair chance of advancing in the workplace and getting promoted when they deserve it.
You could be facing workplace discrimination if you have been working hard for years and possess the skills and experience for a higher position but keep getting overlooked. This unfair treatment becomes more apparent if you applied for the role or expressed intent yet still lost it to someone less qualified.
They deliver unjust disciplinary actions
Some managers and supervisors also have discriminatory tactics where they give unjust criticisms or unfair disciplinary actions against an employee. Sometimes, these people are only acting out an unconscious bias. However, others use this strategy to build a case and have an employee terminated.
Takeaway
Workplace discrimination is an awful act, and no employee deserves to go through this. Fortunately, some federal and state laws protect employees against workplace discrimination due to gender, age, religion, and more. If you’re facing some of the signs mentioned above, consult with an employment lawyer as soon as possible.
These legal professionals can discuss the details of your situation, clear out any uncertainties, and tell you if legal action is warranted. If you decide to seek justice for the company’s discrimination, a lawyer will help you build a strong case to fight for your right.
