Discrimination Can Occur at All Stages of Employment
When people hear the phrase “employment discrimination,” they often think about discrimination during the hiring process. While this does happen, discrimination can take place at all stages of a person’s employment. Facts like this are why attorney Dan A. Atkerson encourages people in the Allen, Plano, and Frisco, TX areas to be mindful of any mistreatment they experience at work.
Below, we’ll list different ways that employment discrimination can arise. This may be illuminating for you and your loved ones. You may even realize that you’ve been subject to discrimination at work. If so, you should know that you can do something about it.
Discrimination in the Hiring Process
During the hiring process, a company cannot discriminate against potential employees on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, or religious worship. The discrimination may take the form of passing on a qualified new hire because of who they are. It could also take the form of offensive personal questions during the interview process.
Discrimination on the Job
While on the job, discrimination can take many forms. Just on a day to day level, you may find that co-workers and supervisors treat you differently. There may be gossip around the office about you, or fellow employees may goad, antagonize, or belittle you in various ways. Ultimately, on-the-job discrimination creates a toxic work environment that is unpleasant for you and can affect your professional duties and your mindset outside of work.
Discrimination with Wages and Promotions
Many people face workplace discrimination when it comes to pay and promotions. Your supervisors may be paying you less for the work you do even though it’s at the same level as your fellow co-workers in the same position and the same level of experience. Similarly, you could get passed up for a promotion, remaining in the same position at your job for years.
Discrimination with Termination and Layoffs
Finally, discrimination at the workplace can also take the form of firing someone because of who they are. In these cases, you may be singled out for termination or get laid off solely because of your race, gender, or religion. Your employer may try to hide their discriminatory practices behind negative performance reviews. Keep in mind that critical performance reviews may have been written with in a misleading and prejudicial manner to provide cover for termination.
Take a Stand Against Workplace Discrimination
If you feel that you have been discriminated against at your job, be sure to report it to HR so there is a formal internal complaint. Gather up all correspondence, memos, emails, and evidence of potential discrimination to prove what transpired.
If the issue cannot be remedied internally, be sure to file a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). There can be a formal investigation into the matter, paving the way for a workplace discrimination lawsuit. Our law firm is here to help you with these matters as they arise, offering guidance and support every step of the way.
Speak with a Skilled Workplace Law Attorney
If you would like to learn more about your legal options following a case of workplace harassment or mistreatment, be sure to contact a skilled employment discrimination attorney. You can reach the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson by phone at (214) 438-4436.