It’s not always easy to recognize workplace discrimination. Some situations, such as racial slurs or refusing to hire someone because of their age, are blatant and easier to address.
Still, there are other, more subtle behaviors that employees experience every day that violate the law. These forms of misconduct are often overlooked. However, they can create a toxic work environment and damage your career.
Common signs of subtle discrimination
Subtle discrimination involves the unfair treatment of individuals based on a protected characteristic, such as race, gender, age, disability or religion. It doesn’t typically involve outright or discriminatory statements. Instead, it reveals itself in everyday decisions regarding assignments, evaluations, pay or workplace culture.
You may miss common red flags when looking at each situation individually, but over time, patterns begin to emerge. For example:
- You’re passed over for training, promotions or important assignments while less-qualified workers move ahead.
- Your supervisor micromanages you while letting co-workers’ mistakes slide. They judge your work more harshly, and you’re disciplined for things others routinely do without consequence.
- You’re left out of meetings or social gatherings that could advance your career.
- Jokes or assumptions based on your age, gender or ethnicity are excused as humor, even though they make you uncomfortable.
- You discover your co-workers with the same role, qualifications or seniority are paid more.
When these minor incidents become frequent or systemic, they create a hostile work environment. Furthermore, they violate both state and federal laws. However, by taking action early, you can protect your rights and career. It’s important to do the following:
- Keep and collect documents such as emails, evaluations, paystubs and a dated log of incidents.
- Review your employee handbook regarding anti-discrimination policies and the procedure for reporting grievances.
- Speak with a supervisor or someone in human resources. This allows the company to address the problem internally and demonstrates a good-faith effort on your part.
If the issue of workplace discrimination isn’t resolved or you fear retaliation, you need to speak with someone who can help you understand your legal options and protect your right to fair and equal treatment.