The 8 Most Common Forms of Workplace Discrimination

The word discrimination is a hot topic among news outlets, but understanding what it really means could be unclear to many workers. To fall under this category, an employee is mistreated or harassed because of a protected class.

While there is a seemingly endless list of reasons why an employee could be treated unfairly, there are eight common forms of workplace discrimination. Keep reading to learn more from our lawyers at LNN.

The Most Common Forms of Workplace Discrimination

Workplace discrimination typically revolves around protected characteristics like the staff member’s age, gender, race, religion, or disability. The most common forms of unfair treatment include:

• Retaliation: This is the most common form of workplace harassment, and it happens when an employee reports and participates in an investigation into any type of discrimination.
• Sex: While gender may instantly come to mind, sexual discrimination also encompasses sexual harassment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and transgender status.
• Race: Companies are prohibited under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 from treating an employee or candidate unfairly because of their race or the color of their skin.
• Disability: Individuals with mental and physical disabilities are also protected from discrimination under federal law. Companies are required to provide those affected employees with reasonable accommodations.
• Age: Individuals 40 years of age or older who are re-entering the workforce or aiming for a promotion, for example, may unfairly experience age discrimination.
• Religion: Companies, co-workers, and supervisors are also prohibited from treating employees differently because of their religious beliefs and practices.
• National Origin: Similar to race, it is illegal to discriminate against an individual in the workplace due to national origin, regardless of race.
• Genetic or Medical Information: Improperly requesting or disclosing your genetic information or questions about your protected medical information may also lead to a common form of workplace discrimination.

What To Do If You Have Faced Workplace Discrimination

In the U.S., the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the governmental agency that protects individuals from workplace discrimination. The first step is to gather as much evidence as you are able, then report the incident to your company’s HR representative.

If the issues remain unresolved, you may have to file an official complaint with the EEOC or your state’s Fair Employment Practices Agency. An experienced attorney would explain your legal rights, guide you through the process, and ensure you meet strict filing deadlines.

Contact An Attorney Who Fights Workplace Discrimination

These eight most common forms of workplace discrimination affect thousands of California residents each year. Facing unfair treatment on the job could lead to a long list of health problems, from stress and anxiety to depression, as well as career-related consequences, such as a job loss or reduced wages.

If you are the victim of workplace discrimination, reach out to our Los Angeles-based law firm for compassionate assistance. Whether you and your LNN Trial Lawyers decide to go through mediation or sue your employer for workplace discrimination, we are always on your side.