What is Discrimination?

Discrimination covers four main areas:

1. Direct: when an employer treats an employee less favourably on the basis of protected characteristics, such as gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, nationality, religion or belief, age
2. Indirect: when there are rules, practices or procedures that have a discriminatory effect on certain groups of people
3. Harassment: when unwanted conduct has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading or humiliating environment for another person, based on one or more of the legally protected characteristics above
4. Victimisation: when unfair treatment occurs of an employee who has made a complaint about discrimination

Why is creating a workplace free of discrimination important?

• Because of the impact on the employee: personal stress, lower engagement and productivity, absence
• And on the organisation: violation of workplace discrimination laws - whether deliberately or by accident - leads to stiff legal and financial penalties, along with bad publicity, low morale, disruption to teams, even departure of valued employees

How do you address discrimination?

• Prejudice comes in many different forms, some more easy to uncover and prevent than others
• Discrimination can be as subtle as favouring groups that we think or feel positively about
• Conversely, as ‘unintended’ as going out of your way to support someone with a different background or a disability – you might see this as not discriminating, but such special treatment can be perceived by them as discrimination
• At the very least you should put in place up-to-date policies and procedures that take account of Equality & Diversity and Dignity at Work
• Uncover and deal quickly with blatant evidence of discrimination
• And commit leadership to a discrimination-free workplace
• But you should recognise that knowing the extent of discrimination, having up-to-date policies and procedures, including for handling bullying and harassment, and inspiring a fair, equal and inclusive culture is the easy part

How People Resolutions can help:

• Planning: Auditing organisational culture for early signs of discriminatory behaviour and bringing policies and procedures up-to-date with relevant legislation and good practice
• Prevention: Training managers to increase their awareness and to change attitudes, perceptions and behaviours in tackling discrimination and promoting a more diverse workforce
• Resolution: Resolution of individual discrimination issues and potential conflicts or grievances through facilitation, consultancy, professional Mediation and expert Investigation
  
  

To discuss further, call us free on 0800 6125 110, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or download our fact sheet.