15 Signs You’re Being Discriminated Against at Work

Every morning, you arrive at the office, ready to kick off your day with positive energy. However, before your productivity even begins, something happens that makes you feel uneasy. Could this be a sign of unfair treatment in your workplace?

Workplace discrimination can be insidious, often disguised as inappropriate jokes or subtle exclusion from opportunities. Recognizing these signs empowers you to address the situation and protect yourself from unfair treatment at work.

In this blog, we'll explore 15 signs you're being discriminated against at work. Understanding these signs is essential to navigating how discrimination can affect your work-life balance and contribute to a toxic work environment.

15 Signs you're being discriminated against at work

1. Experiencing Unfair Treatment

Experiencing unfair treatment at work is a clear sign of discrimination at the workplace. This unfair treatment can come in different forms, such as not getting enough opportunities compared to your coworkers, receiving unequal compensation for similar work, being excluded from important meetings or promotions, excessive workload dumped on you suddenly, or not receiving recognition for your hard work from your managers.

2. Subjected to Derogatory Remarks

Subjected to derogatory remarks in the workplace is a form of discrimination or harassment in the workplace. Such statements are mainly based on your race, gender, identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or nationality. The best way to tackle these situations is to document the event and seek the help of employee assistance programs provided by your employer.

3. Being Excluded

Being excluded in the workplace is a clear sign of discrimination. Exclusion can take various forms, such as deliberately not inviting you to essential meetings, professional activities, team discussions, or social functions.

When a colleague or a superior deliberately excludes you from critical office-related activities, you feel left out, which can hamper your productivity. In such a situation, you can directly approach the person or people and express your concerns. Be friendly and tell them how their actions are affecting your ability to contribute to the team.

4. Unequal Pay and Compensation

Unequal pay and compensation occur when an employee performing similar work or having similar qualifications receives lower compensation and benefits than his colleagues without any justifiable reason. It is a huge demotivation factor, and you should raise this issue during your appraisal.

5. Denied Opportunities for Career Advancement

When an employee is consistently overlooked and denied opportunities for career growth, even though they are well-qualified, it indicates unfair treatment and discrimination. Examples of this discrimination are not giving a well-deserved promotion, being passed over for important training programs, or not giving any leadership roles.

You must discuss these matters with your managers and express your concerns and interest in discussing your career growth. You can highlight your achievements and try to persuade them on why you deserve the promotion.

6. Unjustified Changes in Job Duties

Sometimes, your superior or the employer assigns you duties other than what you were hired for without a valid reason or explanation.

For example, they may assign you unnecessary additional tasks or tasks that you lack experience in. Such unjustified changes in job duties negatively impact the employee's workload.

Facing obstacles and difficulties in your career journey can be discouraging, but you must always stay strong and persistent in pursuing your career goals. Stay focused on your long-term goals and work accordingly.

7. Target of Favouritism

Favoritism is present in almost every office. Some employees or groups are given preferential treatment and privileges. The favoritism can be based on relationships or nepotism rather than performance or qualifications.

8. Disrespecting Your Religious Beliefs

A person's religion is a sacred matter, and no one should make fun of it, intentionally or unintentionally. But sometimes, people get overlooked at work only because of their religious beliefs.

Disrespecting someone’s religious belief is a sensitive matter, and, in such cases, you should directly approach the HR or higher management and express your concerns.

9. Facing Ageism or Sexism

Ageism and sexism are any discrimination that is being done based on your age and gender. For example, being overlooked for opportunities and subjected to stereotypes and biases because of your age or gender.

Age discrimination laws prevent employers from specifying an age preference in job advertisements, job descriptions, or other company documents. The ADEA, or Age Discrimination in Employment Act, protects employees over 40.

READ: How To Make A Career Change At 40

10. Unwanted Comments on Appearance

Unwanted comments on appearance mean receiving unnecessary taunts and comments on your physical appearance. These comments may be related to your height, weight, clothes, hairstyle, etc.

These comments on your traits can make you uncomfortable and adds to a discriminatory toxic work environment. In such cases, inform your supervisor, HR department, or your immediate manager about the derogatory remarks.

11. Under Constant Criticism

Being under constant criticism is a significant sign of workplace discrimination. Constantly criticizing and giving negative feedback to employees can demoralize and damage their confidence. In such cases, address the issue directly with HR or your manager. Tell them how constant criticism is affecting your morale and confidence.

12. Unfair Promotion Practices

Unfair promotion practices occur when an employee is promoted based on factors other than hard work and job performance. It involves nepotism or prioritizing a group or an individual. Just imagine how you would feel if they promoted a colleague who doesn't do anything for the company.

13. Experiencing Retaliation

You may sometimes experience retaliatory actions or treatment from your colleagues or the employer for speaking out against unfair treatment, sexual harassment, or any illegal activity within the company.

Such retaliatory actions can discourage employees from reporting the misconduct and address workplace issues. Retaliation at the workplace is a serious issue and you should immediately raise the issue with the HR department.

14. Selective Discipline

Sometimes, the employer or management applies some disciplinary measure against you for violating any company policy, but other employees who are equally responsible are spared without any consequences. It creates distrust towards the management in the employees' minds and creates a toxic workplace environment.

15. Unfair Performance Reviews

Unfair performance means receiving unfair and biased reviews from your superiors and management. It includes low ratings, negative feedback, and mediocre performance scores. Unfair performance reviews can profoundly affect an employee's career and professional development.

So, you should always raise such concerns with HR, be vocal about such discrimination in the workplace, and advocate for a fair performance evaluation.

READ: 15 Examples Of Hostile Work Environment

What is discrimination at work?

Discrimination at work means being treated unfairly by your coworkers, superior or the management. These unfair treatments are based on your race, age, identity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and more.

Discrimination can happen between your colleagues, people applying for jobs, or employees and their employers. Whether it's done on purpose or by mistake, workplace discrimination can make the work environment toxic and can make it hard for you to do your job well.

READ: 10 Signs You Need A New Job

Types of Discrimination at Work

1. Direct discrimination

Direct discrimination is any workplace discrimination that occurs when an employee is treated less favorably than other colleagues because of specific characteristics they possess, such as race, cultural identity, age, gender, physical disability, religion, sexual orientation, and nationality.

Direct discrimination is explicit and involves direct actions or statements that show bias towards a particular person or a group. An example of direct discrimination is hiring someone based on their age, race, gender, or religion.

2. Indirect discrimination

Indirect discrimination can be defined as any office policy, practice, or change that appears neutral on the surface but is a disadvantage to specific groups of people.

For example, a company has a new rule that all male employees must be clean-shaven. From the company's point of view, this is a good thing, but indirectly, it will disadvantage members of some religious groups. Compared to direct discrimination, indirect discrimination is often unintentional.

3. Harassment

Harassment in the workplace involves unwelcome actions that hurt an employee's sentiments and create a offensive, humiliating, and hostile work environment. Harassment can be verbal, physical, or mental and can be based on your race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion.

Examples of workplace harassment include derogatory jokes or remarks on your physical appearance, displaying offensive materials, or engaging in unwanted physical contact.

What to Do If You're Being Discriminated at Work?

Here are a few steps you can take if you’re being discriminated at work:

1. Document the Event

If you face discrimination at work, it's essential to document the details of the incident. Write down what happened, on what date, where, and who was involved.

Also, note any witnesses present and gather other evidence, if available, such as emails, video recordings, or messages.

2. File a Complaint with Human Resources (HR)

If you have the proof of discrimination, the next step is to file a complaint with your company's HR or management.

HR is responsible for handling workplace issues, including discrimination-related complaints, and is obligated to investigate and address your concerns.

Submit your complaint in writing, providing all the details and supporting evidence. Be prepared to participate in the investigation process and follow any procedures outlined by HR.

3. Seek External Help

After complaining to your HR and management, you may need to seek external assistance if your employer still fails to address the discrimination you are facing.

Consider contacting relevant external authorities or agencies, such as the Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the United States of America.

Additionally, consult with an employment lawyer specializing in discrimination cases to understand your rights and explore legal options for resolution.

READ: 10 Ways To Reduce Stress At Work

Which law protects you if you face workplace discrimination?

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: The act protects employees and job seekers from employment discrimination if it is based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

• Equal Pay Act of 1963: The act protects men and women from sex-based wage discrimination.

• Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967: The act protects persons 40 and older from age-based employment discrimination.

• Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Sections 505 and 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protect employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on disability.

Conclusion

To maintain a fair and respectful workplace, you should recognize the signs of discrimination. The 15 signs explained in this blog are important indicators that you must remember and take appropriate actions to eliminate such malpractices.

Workplace discrimination can happen with anyone. Understanding it is not only important; it's empowering. It equips you with the knowledge to identify and address such issues and helps make your workplace respectful.

So, next time you face such discriminations, remember to document the event, file a complaint with Human Resources (HR), and seek help from external agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If needed, you can also consult a corporate advocate.