ATD Blog
What to Do When Facing Discrimination in the Workplace
Fri Mar 04 2022
Brought to you by
Content
Have you ever been discriminated against, especially in the workplace, but were unable to react or say anything? It can be difficult to know how to respond in the face of prejudice—and it can even arouse feelings of guilt or regret from not protecting yourself.
Have you ever been discriminated against, especially in the workplace, but were unable to react or say anything? It can be difficult to know how to respond in the face of prejudice—and it can even arouse feelings of guilt or regret from not protecting yourself.
Content
But the thing is, workplace discrimination in the US is still widespread, despite the many laws enacted to guard against it. Most discrimination is subtle, everyday behavior, so it can be hard to know what to do.
But the thing is, workplace discrimination in the US is still widespread, despite the many laws enacted to guard against it. Most discrimination is subtle, everyday behavior, so it can be hard to know what to do.
Content
Not to worry, though! There are actual steps you can take to protect yourself from prejudice in the workplace. Just follow these simple measures:
Not to worry, though! There are actual steps you can take to protect yourself from prejudice in the workplace. Just follow these simple measures:
Content
Step 1: Know your rights in the workplace.
Step 1: Know your rights in the workplace.
Content
Step 2: Look for potential signs of discrimination.
Step 2: Look for potential signs of discrimination.
Content
Step 3: Learn about methods of reprisal.
Step 3: Learn about methods of reprisal.
Content
Step 4: Choose your course of action.
Step 4: Choose your course of action.
Content
Step 5: Document the problem.
Step 5: Document the problem.
Content
Step 6: Cross-check your concerns against your legal rights.
Step 6: Cross-check your concerns against your legal rights.
Content
Step 7: Discuss your issues with your employer.
Step 7: Discuss your issues with your employer.
Content
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Content
Know Your Rights In the Workplace
Know Your Rights In the Workplace
Content
Depending on what your profession is, where you live, or how large your company is, there are legal protections you may be entitled to, such as the right to work in an environment free of harassment. It is important to start with identifying what your rights are and evaluating the current situation in your company against them.
Depending on what your profession is, where you live, or how large your company is, there are legal protections you may be entitled to, such as the right to work in an environment free of harassment. It is important to start with identifying what your rights are and evaluating the current situation in your company against them.
Content
Look for Potential Signs of Discrimination
Look for Potential Signs of Discrimination
Content
Observe if subtle forms of discrimination are occurring in the workplace. Evidence of this phenomenon may include minorities being passed up for promotion, receiving lesser wages, having a high turnover rate, or recounting personal stories of discrimination. Take note of these, especially when they happen to you.
Observe if subtle forms of discrimination are occurring in the workplace. Evidence of this phenomenon may include minorities being passed up for promotion, receiving lesser wages, having a high turnover rate, or recounting personal stories of discrimination. Take note of these, especially when they happen to you.
Content
Learn About Methods of Reprisal
Learn About Methods of Reprisal
Content
Reprisal refers to retaliation for an injury which is intended to inflict at least as much injury in return. This can usually be observed when an employer takes adverse action against employees who tried to assert their rights.
Reprisal refers to retaliation for an injury which is intended to inflict at least as much injury in return. This can usually be observed when an employer takes adverse action against employees who tried to assert their rights.
Content
Example: Denying a promotion for a minority employee because of engaging in protected activity .
Example: Denying a promotion for a minority employee because of engaging in protected activity.
Content
Choose a Course of Action
Choose a Course of Action
Content
If you believe you may have been a victim of discrimination, gather evidence and answer the following questions:
If you believe you may have been a victim of discrimination, gather evidence and answer the following questions:
Content
Where did the alleged discriminatory event occur?
Where did the alleged discriminatory event occur?
Content
Who allegedly discriminated against you?
Who allegedly discriminated against you?
Content
What did the person say or do that’s different from how they treat others?
What did the person say or do that’s different from how they treat others?
Content
Why do you feel that the person discriminated against you? Is there a clear link between their actions or words and your protected status?
Why do you feel that the person discriminated against you? Is there a clear link between their actions or words and your protected status?
Content
Document the Problem
Document the Problem
Content
Take notes of key conversations and events that exhibit discriminatory behavior. Note what happened, as well as the time, date, and names of people who were present.
Take notes of key conversations and events that exhibit discriminatory behavior. Note what happened, as well as the time, date, and names of people who were present.
Content
It might also help to ask co-workers you trust if they witnessed other events that can support your claims. Enlist their help by asking them to also document, sign, and date what they observed or heard.
It might also help to ask co-workers you trust if they witnessed other events that can support your claims. Enlist their help by asking them to also document, sign, and date what they observed or heard.
Content
Cross-Check Your Concerns Against Your Legal Rights
Cross-Check Your Concerns Against Your Legal Rights
Content
It helps to know and understand that the law is on your side. If you know your rights in the workplace, you’ll be more confident in presenting your problem.
It helps to know and understand that the law is on your side. If you know your rights in the workplace, you’ll be more confident in presenting your problem.
Content
Discuss Your Issues With Your Employer
Discuss Your Issues With Your Employer
Content
Ask to meet with key people in the company who can and should address the problem. Here are a some tips to guide you in your meeting:
Ask to meet with key people in the company who can and should address the problem. Here are a some tips to guide you in your meeting:
Content
Understand the grievance procedure or appeal process.
Understand the grievance procedure or appeal process.
Content
Discuss the situation with your employer.
Discuss the situation with your employer.
Content
Stick to the facts.
Stick to the facts.
Content
Remain calm.
Remain calm.
Content
Talk about steps to take moving forward.
Talk about steps to take moving forward.
Content
Follow up, especially if you don’t feel your concern hasn’t been addressed yet.
Follow up, especially if you don’t feel your concern hasn’t been addressed yet.
Content
Understand what termination means.
Understand what termination means.
Content
If you think you’re being discriminated against, always remember that you have a right to a workplace environment that treats its employees equally. However, you must still actively address the issues you experience—take the necessary steps to protect yourself, and hopefully, help make your workplace a more inclusive and diverse one.
If you think you’re being discriminated against, always remember that you have a right to a workplace environment that treats its employees equally. However, you must still actively address the issues you experience—take the necessary steps to protect yourself, and hopefully, help make your workplace a more inclusive and diverse one.