Preventing Discrimination In the Workplace

Preventing DiscriminationIn the Workplace

What Employees Need to Know

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Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:•Understand what workplace discrimination

is and why it is illegal•Recognize the requirements of

discrimination laws and the organization’s discrimination policy•Identify different types of discrimination•Help prevent discrimination in the workplace


•Race •Color•National origin•Religion•Sex•Age•Disability

What Types of Discrimination Are Protected By Law?


Which Laws Prohibit Workplace Discrimination?•Title VII•Pregnancy

Discrimination Act•Equal Pay Act•Americans with

Disabilities Act•Age Discrimination

in Employment Act•State laws


Why Is Employment Discrimination Illegal?•Workplace

discrimination is unfair•It denies opportunities

to qualified individuals•It limits access to

the most qualified individuals


What Is Prohibited by the Discrimination Laws?•Basing employment decisions on anything

other than an individual’s qualifications and abilities•Applying different standards to different

individuals•Allowing or engaging in harassment•Retaliating against individuals for engaging

in protected activities


What Is Prohibited by the Discrimination Laws? (cont.)

Organizations also can’t discriminate in:•Recruitment, hiring, and testing•Firing•Promotions, transfers, layoffs, recalls•Discipline•Training and apprenticeship programs•Compensation and benefits


Discrimination Policy•Our policy supports

equal employment opportunity

•It requires everyone to obey the law

•It urges all to treat others professionally and respectfully


Discrimination Law and Policy: True or False?

Only minorities and women are protected by discrimination laws.The organization’s policy supports equal employment opportunity.You could be fired for testifying at a discrimination hearing on behalf of a co-worker.Harassment is only illegal if a supervisor does it.


Discrimination Laws and Policy Requirements•Do you understand the

information presented in the previous slides?


Race/Color Discrimination•Basic protection•Stereotypes•Marriage or association•Race-related

characteristics


Race/Color Discrimination (cont.)

•Harassment•Segregation and

classification of employees

•Preemployment inquiries


National Origin Discrimination•Birthplace,

ancestry, culture•Accent•Marriage or

association•Surname


National Origin Discrimination (cont.)

•English-only rules•Harassment•Employment verification

for immigration


Religious Discrimination•Reasonable

accommodation•Undue hardship•Union dues


Religious Discrimination (cont.)

Common accommodations include:•Sabbath observance•Religious holidays•Leaving work early•Time off for prayers•Dress and grooming


Sex Discrimination•Basic protections•Sexual harassment•Pregnancy•Equal pay for

equal work


Age Discrimination•Discrimination

because of age prohibited•Workers of all ages

entitled to same basic treatment and opportunities


Disability Discrimination•Discrimination against

qualified individuals with disabilities prohibited

•Disability may involve physical or mental impairment

•Law emphasizes ability, not disability

•Reasonable accommodation required


Discrimination Charges And Enforcement•Filing charges•Prima facie case•Employer’s rebuttal


Legal Remedies for Discrimination•Injunction•Hiring/reinstatement•Back pay•Attorney’s fees•Punitive and

compensatory damages


Types of Discrimination: True or False?

Employers can refuse to hire foreigners who may come from terrorist countries.

Only the disability discrimination law requires reasonable accommodations.

The age discrimination law applies to workers of any age.

It’s illegal to discriminate against a white worker who is married to a black person.


Types of Workplace Discrimination•Do you understand the

information presented in the previous slides?


How Can You Help Prevent Workplace Discrimination?•Understand and follow the organization’s

discrimination policy•Recognize each person as an individual•Treat everyone with respect and courtesy•Be aware of and try to correct your biases•Stop people when you hear them joke about

or put down others


•Workplace discrimination is illegal•It denies opportunities to qualified people•Discrimination hurts everyone in the

organization—not just those who are discriminated against•Do your part to help prevent workplace

discrimination

Preventing Discrimination In the Workplace

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