Workplace Discrimination Is an Ongoing Problem, Poll Suggests
Feb. 5, 2021
Discrimination in the workplace based on race, color and national origin, among other protected categories, is illegal in Georgia and across the nation. Federal law protects workers rights in such situations. We would like to think that such discrimination does not occur much these days, but a recent poll suggests otherwise.
Discrimination Based on Race Is an Ongoing Problem
According to one recent poll by the Gallup Center on Black Voices, almost 25% of Black and Hispanic respondents stated they experienced discrimination in the workplace. In comparison, only 15% of white respondents reported the same. Of those who reported discrimination, 52% thought the discrimination was due to race.
Age also appeared to be a factor in workplace discrimination. Of those polled, 31% of workers under age 40 reported experiencing workplace discrimination in the last year. This is almost double the percentage of those over age 40. The survey polled over 8,000 individuals from November 2020 to early December 2020.
What Constitutes Employment Discrimination?
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, if a worker is unfairly treated in the workplace, for example, being fired or overlooked for promotions, based on the worker’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information or age (40 or older), this may constitute employment discrimination. Harassment by managers co-workers or others in the workplace based on these factors also constitutes employment discrimination.
Denying a worker reasonable accommodations needed due to the worker’s religious beliefs or due to a disability also constitutes workplace discrimination. Retaliation due to complaining about workplace discrimination or assisting with a workplace discrimination claim also constitutes employment discrimination.
Learn More About Workplace Discrimination
Workplace discrimination is a problem that we as a nation all need to be aware of. All workers deserve fair treatment. This post is for informational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. To learn more about workplace discrimination, we invite you to explore our firm’s website for further information.