Discrimination
Published: 11/04/2009 by MO
Discrimination
Today, employers and their employees are generally quite aware of the dangers of discrimination in the workplace. Through the years, many laws have been enacted in the United States regarding this problem; one would think that the ubiquity of people's awareness of the issue would make it quite rare. Unfortunately, that simply isn't the case; discrimination still happens all the time in workplaces around the country, and the people who lose are those who are unaware of their rights. Even if you're aware of your rights, sitting by and doing nothing when you're discriminated against doesn't help anybody.
What is Discrimination?
Discrimination is defined as unfair or unfavorable treatment due to circumstances that are beyond their control. Things that people are typically discriminated against for include race, religion, gender, disability or even for being a veteran of the armed forces. In other words, the characteristics that a person is being discriminated against for are things that are beyond their control. In the United States, if a person is passed over for a job or for a promotion due to such factors, legal repercussions can occur. Similarly, if an employee is treated unfairly in the workplace due to these characteristics, he or she may have cause to sue.
Discrimination And The Law
One of the best known laws regarding discrimination in the workplace is the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) law. President Lyndon B. Johnson is credited with coining the phrase "Equal Opportunity Employment," as he was the sitting president when these laws first went on the books back in the mid-1960s. An executive order that he signed while in office specifically prohibited discrimination in the workplace based on sex, race, national origin, color, religion or creed. Since then, additional protected groups have been added; the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, for example, extended protection from discrimination to disabled persons.
Are You Being Discriminated Against?
It's important to remember that just because someone isn't "being nice" to you, it doesn't mean they are discriminating against you. An employer has every right to deny you employment - as long as that denial is not based on one of the protected classes. In other words, you could just "rub them the wrong way," and they don't have to hire you. Similarly, in the workplace your superiors are under no obligation to adore you or to offer you raises and promotions at every turn; however, if they are blatantly passing you over and favoring others based on specific characteristics, then you could have a case.
What To Do If You're The Victim Of Discrimination
One of the biggest problems with discrimination is that people often let it slide. If you have fairly compelling evidence that you're being discriminated against, then it is your duty to hold those responsible accountable. The best way to go about this is to hire an attorney who is experienced in discrimination law. Sit down for a consultation to find out what your options are; above all else, don't let the perpetrators of discrimination get away with it.
