According to a reputable discrimination attorney in Los Angeles, workplace discrimination is illegal in Los Angeles. This vice can affect victims mentally and negatively impact their overall productivity.

If you’ve been unfairly treated in the workplace for no reason, you should consult a discrimination attorney in Los Angeles. In this article, we discuss everything about workplace discrimination.

Workplace Discrimination Explained

Discrimination at work in the United States is a persistent problem that has existed for decades. This vice is typically based on the protected characteristics of employment, including:

  • Race;
  • Gender;
  • Age;
  • Religion;
  • Disability;
  • Sexual orientation;
  • National origin, and
  • Background, among others.

It is illegal under federal law for employers to discriminate against employees or job applicants on these grounds, but unfortunately, discrimination is still prevalent in American workplaces.

A common form of workplace discrimination in the United States is race-based discrimination. Despite the progress made in civil rights, minorities continue to face challenges in the workplace.

Common Forms of Workplace Discrimination

Here are the common forms of discrimination in American workplaces:

Racial Discrimination 

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission — EEOC, 35% of the over 27,000 discrimination charges filed in 2020 accounted for racial discrimination.

Gender-based Discrimination 

Gender-based discrimination is the other common form of workplace discrimination that has plagued American workplaces for many years. Women continue to face discrimination regarding pay, promotions, and job opportunities.

Despite the enactment of the Equal Pay Act in 1963, which was meant to provide equal pay for equal work, gender-based discrimination is still rife. In 2020, sex discrimination accounted for over 28% of all discrimination charges filed with the EEOC.

Discrimination Based on Age

Age-based discrimination is also a significant problem in the workplace. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects employees and job applicants 40 or older from discrimination. Sadly, age discrimination remains an issue in the workplace. According to the EEOC, over 6,600 age discrimination charges were filed in 2020.

Religious-based Discrimination 

Religious discrimination in the workplace has persisted over the years. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on religion. Despite this protection, religious discrimination continues to occur. In 2020, religious discrimination accounted for 2.8% of all discrimination charges filed with the EEOC.

Disability-based Discrimination 

This form of workplace discrimination is a major problem in American workplaces. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace. Nevertheless, many individuals with disabilities continue to face discrimination in the workplace. In 2020, disability discrimination accounted for 36% of all discrimination charges filed with the EEOC.

Although federal laws are in place to protect employees and job applicants, discrimination still occurs in many forms, including race, gender, age, religion, and disability. Employers need to take steps to prevent discrimination in the workplace and take disciplinary actions against employees who engage in discriminatory behavior. A labor law attorney can help.