And what to do when you’ve been discriminated against.
Discrimination is a reality that many people face in different areas of their life each and every day.
In 2017, the U.S.
Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reported that there were more than 80,000 workplace discrimination complaints.
How to Handle It
Age-based discrimination is illegal in some instances.
It covers discrimination against people of all ages and is enforced by the Civil Rights Center.
Disability Discrimination
Disability discrimination involves unfair or biased treatment of individuals due to their disability.
It can also involve failing to make reasonable accommodations, harassment, and victimization.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation discrimination refers to discriminatory treatment based on a person’s sexual orientation.
This discrimination may involve the denial of rights and services related to employment and housing.
It can also involve verbal or physical harassment and other displays of prejudice.
It can also involve harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity that creates a hostile work environment.
An example of this would include repeatedly and intentionally using the wrong pronouns ordeadnaminga transgender employee.
Status as a Parent
Discrimination can also occur based on a person’s status as a parent.
Parental status refers to whether or not someone is a parent.
It includes having children, but it also applies to not having children.
If you have experienced such discrimination, keep a record of when the event occurred and notify the EEOC.
Unfortunately, there is no federal law protecting people against parental status discrimination in the private sector.
Some states, such as New York, provide protections for parents in the workplace.
Religious Discrimination
Religious discrimination is treating someone differently or unfairly based on their religious beliefs and practices.
Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for religious practices unless it presents an undue burden.
This also protects people who are part of non-traditional religions and atheists.
In the private sector, you must file a claim within 180 days of the incident.
If you work for the federal government, you mustcontact an EEO counselorwithin 45 days.
Teasing or offhand remarks would qualify as discrimination if they create a hostile work environment.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy discrimination involves unfair treatment of pregnant people in the workplace.
A hostile work environment involves sexual harassment, making it difficult and uncomfortable for employees to perform.
The Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 also prohibits such discrimination.
They may offer mediation, which may result in your employer taking steps to correct the situation.
Or you may opt to file a lawsuit for unlawful discrimination.
In some cases, the EEOC may take legal action on your behalf.
Explore Workplace Options
Learn more about the options for reporting and addressing discrimination in your workplace.
This might include reporting the discrimination to human resources and having discussions with trusted supervisors.
Seek Support
Discrimination can harmself-esteem, particularly when people start to internalize the negative attitudes they encounter.
Manage Stress Levels
Encountering discrimination is stressful and can trigger anger, sadness, and anxiety.
Experiment with differentstress management techniquesto determine what works best for you.
You might also consider theInclusive Therapists Directoryto find BIPOC and LGBTQ+ mental health providers.
Additional Resources:
U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices.
Krieger N.Discrimination and health inequities.Int J Health Serv.
2014;44(4):643-710. doi:10.2190/HS.44.4.b
U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.EEOC releases fiscal year 2017 enforcement and litigation data.
Yearby R.The social determinants of health, health disparities, and health justice.J Law Med Ethics.
2019;8:100444 doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100444
U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Age discrimination.
National Archives.Part 110-Nondiscrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) discrimination.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Religious discrimination.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Pregnancy discrimination and pregnancy-related disability discrimination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Types of discrimination.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Retaliation - making it personal.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Retaliation.
Lui PP, Quezada L.Associations between microaggression and adjustment outcomes: A meta-analytic and narrative review.Psychol Bull.
2022;79(9):898-906. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.1973
