Examples of Workplace Discrimination.

Assessment Outcomes –
1.2. Identify the impact these differences between individuals could have on working together.
3.1. Give an example of a scenario illustrating discrimination at work and an approach to challenging it.

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Discrimination may be intentional or unintentional, direct or indirect. Discrimination can come in the form of jokes and offhand comments that seem harmless to or even go unnoticed by the perpetrator.

Examples of discrimination occurring in the workplace can include >>>

• Job refusal • Being dismissed or having shifts cut down • Denial of training opportunities, transfers and promotions • Not being paid the same as someone doing the same job with the same experience and qualifications • Exclusion or isolation by co-workers • Having information you need to do your job deliberately withheld • Being given impossible tasks • Being subjected to taunts or abuse that references the protected attribute

The below examples show some of the different ways in which discrimination can occur in the workplace.

Example 1 Mary is six months pregnant. After ten years working at an accounting firm, she applies for a senior position that has just opened up. Despite having more experience and qualifications than the other applicants, she was passed over. When she asked the manager, he said: “I need someone who will be more dedicated to the position.”

Example 2 Ryan works on a construction site. His co-workers recently found out he was gay and have started calling him “princess”.

Example 3 Annie works in a toy store and has a physical disability preventing her from carrying heavy items. She recently found out her co-workers earn more than her despite having the same experience and working just as hard. When she asked her manager about it, she said it was because “you just don’t carry as much weight around here.”

The Difference between Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination