Spotting Discrimination - Shropshire


I Don't Discriminate - do I?
Recognising Discrimination

DiversitySometimes a company may have rules or systems that may also lead to discrimination. Discrimination can be overt but sometimes it can be hidden and more subtle. You can see it when one group of people are given a particular job or access to things like training, decent terms and conditions of employment, workplace facilities and promotion. For example:
  • Women are only allocated certain jobs, whilst men take others;
  • Particular ethnic groups are only given certain tasks and not others;
  • People with disabilities are automatically rejected without considering how adjustments could easily be arranged to meet their particular needs. Anyone that doesn’t seem to “fit” (for example, because of their religion or sexual orientation) is denied their rights or even a job in the first place. Certain rules or ways of doing things serve to exclude particular groups of people.
  • Stereotyping particular groups and creating an expectation of low performance, which, though unspoken, can permeate an organisation, creating an atmosphere that can negatively affect someones work abilities.
Often these things happen in a very public way with the support of managers and other employees. Sometimes they are more hidden because people know they shouldn’t discriminate but do it anyway! For example, sometimes they may use “codes” or euphemisms to hide discrimination against employees or customers. You might also witness harassment and victimisation, such as:
  • Spreading false rumours that serve to discredit another employee. 
  • Using derogatory or offensive remarks about work colleagues.
  • Making sexual innuendos about a colleague in his or her presence.
  • Making jokes about particular groups of people. For example, religious groups; gays and lesbians or an ethnic group.
  • Everyone is meant to join in the "joke" including you if you are one of the groups being joked about - not to do so will lead to you being isolated and seen to be "not part of the team".
  • Engaging in physical abuse – slapping, hitting etc. – or threatening violence.
  • Dismissing the feelings of people who are the subject of jokes or abuse.
  • Making life difficult for someone who complains about the way they are being treated or who supports the victim by, for example, not speaking to them or even making them unemployed.
The impact of such behaviour, apart from possibly leading to legal action, can sour working relations and possibly lead to the departure of valued employees, or to the loss of business. The victims can suffer personal stress and economic hardship.
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