Though it may not seem common for discrimination to occur in the workplace, this is an unfortunate reality for many employees. Many employees face harassment and intimidation because of their race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics. Though there are laws in place to help prevent this, instances of discrimination continue to occur. If you’ve been a victim, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll learn about the statistics and how a Providence, Rhode Island employment discrimination lawyer can help you if you want to file a claim.
What Are Common Discrimination Methods?
Anytime someone faces discrimination or prejudices based on a protected characteristic, they are experiencing discrimination. These protected characteristics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Race
- Gender
- Ethnicity
- Disability
- National origin
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
Generally, most people report experiencing discrimination because of harassment, verbal abuse, and failure to receive the same treatment as others. For example, Jane and John are both up for a promotion at work, and Jane is more qualified than John. Despite being more experienced, management tells Jane that John is better suited for the job because he’s a man. This is a form of discrimination, as the only reason Jan is passed over is because she’s a woman.
It’s important to understand that most instances of discrimination are not that overt. Instead, they are much more subtle. These can often be labeled as microaggressions, which are small comments and actions that add up over time. For example, if a coworker continually mispronounces the name of an Asian coworker and makes no attempt to learn the correct pronunciation, this would be considered a microaggression.
How Often Does Discrimination Occur?
Unfortunately, discrimination is a problem in the workplace for many people. Studies show that 46% of people report that discrimination is a problem in their workplace and 61% of people report witnessing discrimination, with the most common form being retaliation.
Disability, racial, and gender discrimination are the most common forms that people report enduring in the workplace. It’s also important to understand that nearly 90% of transgender employees report experiencing harassment, threats of violence, and discrimination in the workplace because of their gender identity.
What Can I Do if I’m a Victim?
If you’ve been a victim of discrimination, it’s important to understand what you can do. You’ll want to report these instances to the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They will conduct an investigation into the claim you file.
You’ll also want to retain the assistance of an experienced attorney, as this can help you receive the justice and compensation that you deserve.
At the Herman Law Group, our dedicated legal team will do everything possible to help you file a claim. We believe no one should face discrimination, and as such, we will work tirelessly to guide you through this process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.