Your workplace is your second home. In fact, it’s probably where you spend most of your waking hours. Not everyone has the luxury of a job, workplace and coworkers they genuinely enjoy. However, at the very least, no one should have to put up with any kind of harassment or discrimination while on the job.
Sadly, workplace discrimination continues to be a problem in Michigan workplaces, and employment law attorneys hear from clients who have been discriminated against time and time again. Here are four of the most common types of discrimination that individuals encounter in the workplace:
Racial discrimination: Whether it’s overt, subconscious, obvious or hidden, racial discrimination is not a thing of the past. People of all races and ethnic groups experience racial discrimination on the job.
Sex discrimination: Men and women can both experience gender discrimination. This behavior seems to be embedded within our society at this point. The only remedy for many victims is to assert their legal rights in court.
Age discrimination: Workers who are 40 and up receive the benefit of federal protection against all forms of age-related discrimination in hiring, pay, termination and the awarding of other job opportunities and benefits.
National origin discrimination: In addition to racial and other forms of discrimination, employers may treat employees differently as a result of their national origin, accent, culture, political views and appearance that are tied to the fact that they are immigrants.
When the above discrimination is repetitive, harassing or affects the individual’s ability to work and receive equal opportunity and pay, the victim of the discrimination may be able to fight back in court. If successfully navigated, a workplace discrimination action can bring the employee financial compensation for lost income, lost opportunity, emotional turmoil and more.