Discrimination at work is a problem that can hurt not just your job, but many parts of your life. It can make you feel unwanted and affect your mental health. Discrimination can happen in many ways. Some people might be treated unfairly because of their race, gender, age, or other reasons. Not only is this wrong on the part of an employer but it’s also against the law.
Many laws are there to protect workers from being treated badly. These laws are on your side. Understanding these laws can help you stand up for yourself. Before you need to take things to the authorities there are some things you can do to hopefully change the situation. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to deal with discrimination.
1 – Understand the types
It’s important to know that discrimination can show up in different ways. Sometimes, it’s clear and direct. Other times, it might be subtle and hard to notice right away. One common thread is that people with certain traits are targeted. These traits are known as protected characteristics under federal and state laws.
One common type is racial discrimination. This happens when someone is singled out because of their race or the color of their skin.
Gender discrimination is another type. This occurs when someone is treated differently just because they are a man or a woman. A clear example is when a woman is paid less than a man for doing the same job.
Age discrimination can happen, too. This is when older employees are not given the same chances as younger ones. They might be passed over for promotions or training opportunities just because they are older.
2 – Have a response
As soon as you feel that you might be facing discrimination, it’s important to react right away and respond before it gets worse.
First, it’s important to take care of your mental health. Learning how to be assertive is helpful. Assertiveness training can teach you how to stand up for yourself in a positive way. This doesn’t mean being aggressive. You just need to advocate for yourself.
If you’re confident that you’re dealing with discrimination, you have the right to make a complaint. Start by looking into your company’s policies. Most companies have a way for employees to report discrimination. This is often done through HR.
3 – Build a support network
It’s really helpful to have friends at work who understand and support you, especially if you’re being treated unfairly. These friends are your support network. They can be anyone you work with, no matter their job or background.
To start building this group of friends, just talk to people. You can share what you’re going through and listen to their experiences too. You might find out that a lot of people want to help but don’t know what to do. When a lot of people show they care about these issues, it tells everyone that these problems are important and need to be fixed.