Discrimination is the unlawful and prejudicial treatment of a certain individual or a group of people that denies equal opportunity against another based on race, color, age, disability, sex and sexual orientation.  It happens when someone is held at a disadvantage by usually a person in authority while favoring another, merely basing on the former’s nationality, skin, religious beliefs, and among others.  Minority people such as foreigners and immigrants are usually discriminated upon, just because of their differences in looks, belief, culture and even accents.  However, the racial aspect of discrimination is just one of the ways people become victims.  Unfortunately, even a country’s own people are being discriminated against by their own countrymen.  There is also discriminating against one’s sex, disabilities, age, genetics and even family background.  Anyone can be treated unfairly, no exceptions.  The best solution is to recognize the situation when and if it happens to know your rights according to law.

Discrimination is a grave offense.  It denies people fair opportunities, which should have probably bettered their lives.  It causes unjust and baseless hatred and becomes widespread when tolerated.  It also violates one’s rights, particularly to a decent job, respect and a peaceful life.  It might even start mutual hate and conflicts, endangering everyone around and in between.  There’s no good to be derived from discriminating against a certain person or group.  It only widens the gap of peoples’ present differences, creating room for chaos that could have been avoided in the first place.

Workplace discrimination is one of its most common forms.  The workplace is where the difference in power and authority is most distinct.  It might come from any stage of employment: a job applicant may be discriminated upon immediately without being given a fighting chance to land the job; a lowly staff member may be harassed and ridiculed by supervisors and co-workers because of age, gender or cultural inclination; even an employee regardless of his or her years of serving the company may be fired for no good reason just to be replaced by someone more favored by the boss. 

Discrimination in the workplace might be rampant, but there are laws to protect employees’ rights.  These laws clearly state what constitutes a discrimination case, what penalties the company will be liable for and emphasizes the right and just treatment of employees. Companies are now made more aware of these laws and have implemented internal measures to avoid cases of workplace discrimination. These laws, together with many cases won in court served as lessons for companies to take discrimination in the workplace very seriously.  

If you think that you have been treated unfairly and denied a just process related to your workplace – be it a job application, training, benefits or a promotion opportunity, you may have been a victim of workplace discrimination.  Consult your case with an expert lawyer or seek government assistance from the US Employment Opportunity Commission.  They will guide you through your ordeal and help you legally settle your complaint with the employer out of or in court.  Know your rights and fight for them, stop being a victim and put an end to discrimination in the workplace.    

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