Describe ways in which discrimination may deliberately or inadvertently occur in the work setting

Discrimination is an issue that has been a part of society for centuries. It can be difficult to recognize and even more difficult to address, but it is important that we do so. Here, we will explore the different forms discrimination may take in the workplace and discuss ways in which it may manifest itself.

Direct discrimination is when someone is treated less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic. This can be something like being refused an interview for a job, or not given the same wage as somebody else doing the same work.

Indirect discrimination occurs when there are policies in place that disproportionately affect one group more than any other. An example of indirect discrimination would be if a company requires all staff to work on Sundays, without taking into account that some staff belong to certain religions that prevent them from working on this day.

Discrimination arising from disability is when somebody is treated less favourably than another person because of something related to their disability (not necessarily the disability itself). This could include the use of a guide dog, time off for hospital appointments or the need for adaptations to the workplace or specialised computer equipment.

Discrimination by association is when someone is treated less favourably because of their association with someone else who belongs to a particular group. For example, if an employer discriminates against an employee because they are the main carer of an individual with a disability.

Discrimination by perception is when someone is treated less favourably because their behaviour or appearance conforms to the stereotype of a particular group. For example, if an employer discriminates against a job applicant that they believe is Muslim because their name is in Arabic.