It is unfortunate but discrimination does and will continue to happen in the workplace causing some very good employees to seek relief in the form of quitting, filing legal action, or both. If we are responsible for any number of employees it is our legal responsibility to protect them from any form of unequal treatment based on an employee's gender, sexual orientation, race, national origin, religion, age, disability, being pregnant, regardless of our personal beliefs. Not protecting an employee from any form of discrimination could cost your company an enormous amount of money.
Discrimination is not always a supervisor treating someone in one of the protected classes listed above in an insensitive, brutal, or unprofessional way. The truth is that the victim is generally the only one that notices while everyone else stands by oblivious to what is happening. One way it could happen is that your supervisor may allow someone to tell a joke about someone being "Blonde" during your daily staff meeting. Then there may be those times that the supervisor permits a birthday cake to be given to an older person that is recommending retirement. Although it may appear to be harmless and everyone laughs, these actions may be the start of an eventual problem.
Training is one of the most effective ways to avoid anyone taking part in any type of negative treatment towards someone because they fall into a protected class. Training should begin on their first day, which should consist of providing them with complete information on the subject matter. It is very important that they understand that any form of this behavior will not be allowed and what will happen if they engage in it. There should also be annual training classes that are provided and documented also.
Producing and providing an employee handbook policy that outlines what discrimination is in each of the protected classes outlined above is a great way to make sure everyone is aware. The employee handbook should be a commonly referred to the document that covers all your employee policies, and not just discrimination. Again, this would be a document that I would make sure is given to and signed for by every new employee, as well as your existing employees.
When you have someone in a protected class that feels that they are being treated wrongly, it is at this time that they are most likely to file a claim. As an example of this, if you had an older person passed over for a promotion, while at the same time you were hiring only younger people, there is a good chance you will have a problem. If you do need to make these types of choices it is wise to make sure you document all your reasons why.
In most cases employers are trying to do the right thing because in the end they are most interested in operating a successful business. The problem can still be a big one since a business owner or supervisor is responsible for things they know, or should have known. This means that as a business owner or supervisor you must continually be aware of what is happening in the workplace. Don't plant yourself in your office and assume everything is fine. If and when you see something that doesn't seem right investigate and determine if action is necessary. Your business is counting on you to do so!
Discrimination is not always a supervisor treating someone in one of the protected classes listed above in an insensitive, brutal, or unprofessional way. The truth is that the victim is generally the only one that notices while everyone else stands by oblivious to what is happening. One way it could happen is that your supervisor may allow someone to tell a joke about someone being "Blonde" during your daily staff meeting. Then there may be those times that the supervisor permits a birthday cake to be given to an older person that is recommending retirement. Although it may appear to be harmless and everyone laughs, these actions may be the start of an eventual problem.
Training is one of the most effective ways to avoid anyone taking part in any type of negative treatment towards someone because they fall into a protected class. Training should begin on their first day, which should consist of providing them with complete information on the subject matter. It is very important that they understand that any form of this behavior will not be allowed and what will happen if they engage in it. There should also be annual training classes that are provided and documented also.
Producing and providing an employee handbook policy that outlines what discrimination is in each of the protected classes outlined above is a great way to make sure everyone is aware. The employee handbook should be a commonly referred to the document that covers all your employee policies, and not just discrimination. Again, this would be a document that I would make sure is given to and signed for by every new employee, as well as your existing employees.
When you have someone in a protected class that feels that they are being treated wrongly, it is at this time that they are most likely to file a claim. As an example of this, if you had an older person passed over for a promotion, while at the same time you were hiring only younger people, there is a good chance you will have a problem. If you do need to make these types of choices it is wise to make sure you document all your reasons why.
In most cases employers are trying to do the right thing because in the end they are most interested in operating a successful business. The problem can still be a big one since a business owner or supervisor is responsible for things they know, or should have known. This means that as a business owner or supervisor you must continually be aware of what is happening in the workplace. Don't plant yourself in your office and assume everything is fine. If and when you see something that doesn't seem right investigate and determine if action is necessary. Your business is counting on you to do so!
About the Author:
Good Leadership Skills for Life offers insightful information on all types of discrimination law. On the other hand if you like to read discrimination articles then you can find it on his website also.