“A report released by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reveals both good and bad news for employees across California.” The good news is that there has been a reduction in the number of cases that result from discrimination.
On the other hand, the bad news is that workplace discrimination is still very rampant in most organizations. Additionally, it was reported that the number of times most employees experience retaliation from their employers has gone up.
The EEOC reveals that a total number of 88,778 charges were reported; of which majority of them were cases of retaliation discrimination. Below are five types of employee discrimination that should be discussed more often.
1) Retaliation Discrimination
The most common form of employee discrimination in most organizations is retaliation discrimination. This occurs when employees are threatened if they raise any complaints. For instance, if you complain that you need allowances for the additional hours you work, your employer may fire you.
If you ever experience retaliation discrimination, you have the right to report the matter and claim your lost wages, future wages as well as psychological or physical damage. You will need adequate legal info to sue such employers.
2) National or Origin Discrimination
This occurs when someone from a particular origin or country is discriminated. For example, by being denied a job even when you’re qualified for the position. Everybody has the right to secure a job, especially when you qualify for the job regardless of the race or origin.
Freelancing sites like Upwork nowadays has clients who discriminate English as a Second Language speakers. You find a job description which you qualify for but instead, get rejected because you are not an English Native Speaker. Since Upwork is an American freelancing site, clients will always prefer U.S citizens, Canadians, or Australians which shouldn’t be the case.
3) Religious Discrimination
You have the right to be treated fairly regardless of your religion. You may request your employer any form of accommodation due to your religion. For instance, if you need to worship or fast on a certain day, you can let your employer know so that you’re granted permission. But your requests should not interfere with your organization.
“The EEOC and HopsitalityStaff recently agreed on a $30,000.00 settlement for a religious discrimination case. Hospitality Staff failed to accommodate a Rastafarian employee when they required him to cut his dreadlocks in order to comply with its client’s grooming standards, and ultimately keep his job. The employee was also removed from his work assignment.”
4) Disability Discrimination
This is normally common in most organizations. If an employer realizes that you are disabled, the organization may decide to retrench you because they feel they no longer need your services. Every employee deserves to be treated equal, regardless of whether you are disabled or not. In fact, some of the disabled employees are more dedicated than other employees.
5) Age Discrimination
Age discrimination is common among the third world countries. Many employers fail to employ you because they feel you are still young yet you qualify for the job. Their mentality is that older employees work more efficiently than the young which is not right. All employees should be treated equal.
Bottom Line
As an employee, you need to know all your rights so that you take the right procedure to seek justice when your rights are violated. Don’t wait for the worst. Seek justice as soon as you are discriminated.