Workplace discrimination occurs more regularly than employees and employers realize. And the impact can be devastating for both. For workers, discrimination can stunt their careers, decrease or eliminate their pay and even cause emotional and psychological turmoil. In far too many cases, though, those who are subjected to workplace discrimination erroneously chalk the incident up to some innocuous cause. This cuts them off from taking the legal action that’s necessary to correct the situation and secure accountability and compensation for the harm caused to them.
Signs that you’ve been a victim of workplace discrimination
While recognizing workplace discrimination isn’t always easy, there are some common red flags that you should be aware of moving forward. These include:
- Being passed over for a promotion in favor of someone who is less qualified.
- Being denied training opportunities that are made available to others.
- Being subjected to disproportionately applied discipline that appears to negatively impact members of certain protected classes.
- Being left out of meetings while younger and less experienced workers are brought into them.
- Receiving performance appraisals that appear to be holding you to a higher standard than everyone else.
- Being subjected to inappropriate jokes, statements or criticisms that attack characteristics that are legally protected, such as your age, race, gender or religion.
- Being paid less than others who have similar experience and job qualifications.
There are many other signs of workplace discrimination. If you suspect that you’ve been treated unfairly and have suffered harm as a result, then now is the time to dig into the matter further to determine if legal action is warranted.
Don’t be afraid to stand up to your employer
We know the thought of taking legal action against your employer can be stressful. But sometimes that’s the only option when it comes to protecting your interests. If you’d like to learn more about the kind of support you can acquire to assist you in that endeavor, then please continue to read our website and other materials focused on workplace discrimination.