Looking to learn how to deal with discrimination at work? Don’t worry, as we’ve got all the information you need.
What is discrimination in the workplace?
Even though many companies aim to create a safer work environment for their employees, issues like discrimination can still occur. This can be even more prominent if it’s not spoken about properly.
The definition of discrimination at work is essentially any form of unequal treatment, whether that’s harassment or singling someone out, due to race, religion, age, and many other characteristics. Another issue is that some individuals may not feel comfortable with reporting discrimination at work, which could significantly affect their loyalty to the business and overall performance.
There are a variety of things that can come under the umbrella of discrimination and in most cases, it’s a good idea to ensure that everyone within the workforce is clear on what it means and how to stop it. Sometimes, simply explaining and discouraging discrimination will help to significantly reduce the chances of anything untoward happening. However, it is still important to remain vigilant, as this won’t completely prevent issues from arising.
What are the different types of discrimination?
There are several different types of discrimination at work, all of which are worth looking into if you want to ensure that the workplace is as safe for your employees as possible.
Some of the most common forms of workplace discrimination are those that target someone’s race or color. It’s essential that you deal with any form of racism properly, regardless of how small it may seem, to make sure that the person being discriminated against knows that they’re safe, welcome, and wanted in the workforce regardless of what one person may say. In many instances, things like ancestry and religion can come under a similar category.
Sexual orientation and gender identity/expression can also be a big issue in the workplace. In a similar case to the one above, point out that it’s not okay to discriminate against other workers in any way. You could learn a lot more about how these kinds of issues could have an impact on the workplace at this entry about gender bias in performance reviews, so be sure to give it a read if you’re interested.
Other common factors to consider are age, medical conditions, and disabilities. There are many forms of illegal discrimination that come under these categories, so if you would rather keep from having any larger issues on your hands, preventing a situation from escalating is often a must.
Five signs of discrimination at work
One benefit that managers have when trying to find ways to handle discrimination at work is that there are often going to be quite a few signs to look out for and even ways to improve the business as a whole by making significant changes. Here are some key things that you could do to prevent workplace discrimination:
- Try to have a diverse team. When there’s a lack of different people in the workplace, it makes it easier to pick out someone who doesn’t fit the status quo
- Despite the fact that employees can leave jobs quickly for a variety of reasons, it can be worth considering that high turnover rates could have something to do with discrimination. If somebody doesn’t feel safe, they may just leave rather than taking legal action
- There are certain things that employers aren’t allowed to ask in interviews, such as if an applicant has children or how many. Simple things like this are best avoided if you want to ensure that you keep discrimination to a minimum
- Avoid any kind of unfair bias against your employees. Even small comments on rude stereotypes, physical attributes, or lifestyles could all count as (and lead to) further discrimination from other staff
- Be very clear on your policies and any laws in place that protect workers from discrimination. You could read up on them yourself or ensure that every employee knows the rules, as this can often prove to be a good deterrent
Four tips on how to deal with discrimination at work
Create a positive workspace #1
Most of the time, making the effort to ensure that your employees have a safe, comfortable, and positive work environment is going to help in fighting back against discrimination at work. Overall, a generally good atmosphere can help to make a significant difference. If you’re looking for ways to do this, it may be worth paying a visit to https://unrubble.com/Blog/positive-attitude-at-work.
Unequal pay #2
Although many companies pay their workers equally for the work they do regardless of age, gender, race, etc., unequal pay is still prevalent in many businesses. This could be a huge issue for any organization that wants to reduce discrimination and have a safer, friendlier work atmosphere. Essentially, if you’re not already providing equal pay to men and women for the same job, it might be time to make a change.
Make sure you handle the situation professionally #3
If it’s your responsibility to take care of feuds and discrimination at work, you need to make sure you deal with it in a professional manner. Fortunately, there are several things that can assist you in this. For example, giving the targeted individual the chance to get away from work for a little while to clear their mind could be a great idea. With something like our Leave Management System, you could ensure that any employees that need a break can easily do so.
Another great tool that you might be interested in is Work Time Tracker, so be sure to check this one out too.
Make it easy to report discrimination #4
One of the most important things you can do to help prevent discrimination is encourage the victims to speak out. Make sure that everybody knows how to report discrimination at work and that they are safe to do so. The more comfortable people feel calling out this kind of behavior, the easier it will be for you to nip it in the bud.
