discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of employees or job applicants based on certain protected characteristics, such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Lawyers specializing in employment law can handle various types of employment discrimination cases. Here are some of the most common types
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Racial Discrimination
This occurs when an employer treats an employee or applicant unfavorably due to their race or ethnicity. It can involve discriminatory hiring practices, promotions, pay disparities, or creating a hostile work environment based on race.
Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination involves treating individuals differently based on their gender or sex. This can include unequal pay, denial of promotions, sexual harassment, or pregnancy-related discrimination.
Age Discrimination
Age discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or applicant unfavorably due to their age, typically affecting older workers. This can involve discriminatory hiring practices, layoffs, or denial of benefits based on age.
Disability Discrimination
Disability discrimination refers to treating individuals with disabilities unfairly in the workplace. It includes failure to provide reasonable accommodations, harassment, or termination based on disability.
Religious Discrimination
Religious discrimination involves treating individuals unfavorably due to their religious beliefs or practices. This can include refusal to hire, failure to accommodate religious practices, or creating a hostile work environment based on religion.
National Origin Discrimination
National origin discrimination occurs when an employer treats an individual unfavorably due to their country of origin, ethnicity, or accent. It can involve discriminatory hiring practices, harassment, or denial of promotions based on national origin.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Pregnancy discrimination involves treating an employee unfavorably due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This can include denial of promotions, termination, or failure to provide reasonable accommodations.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
This type of discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or applicant unfavorably based on their sexual orientation. It can involve harassment, denial of benefits, or discriminatory policies.
Genetic Information Discrimination
Genetic information discrimination refers to treating individuals unfavorably based on their genetic information. This includes discrimination in hiring, firing, or denial of benefits due to genetic predispositions or family medical history.
Retaliation
Retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse actions against an employee for engaging in protected activities, such as filing a discrimination complaint or participating in an investigation.