Discrimination In The Work Pla Essay Research

Paper

Discrimination in the Work Place

Discrimination can be expressed in many different ways, which no matter what can be very hurtful to a person. Discrimination itself means making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit (definition 2). One way of expressing discrimination is denying one a job because of his/her race or gender, or treating others unfairly because of his/her race or gender. Discrimination can lead to quitting a job, and possibly doing something harmful to oneself or to the aggressor.

Different ways of discrimination occurs very often in the workplace. First, sex discrimination against women; because men are the more dominant figure in today s society they receive more jobs, than do women. Secondly, there is age discrimination against both the young and old people in finding or having a job. Finally, the disabled are sometimes not able to receive a job because of their disability. Discrimination will probably always be in the workplace.

In the workplace it is much harder for women with the same education and experiences as men to earn the same job position. Most of the time if a woman gets a job above a man, she will receive a much lower salary than the man would receive if he had the same job. Others argue that women should simply be given greater opportunity to work less than a full-time schedule since they are being paid wages equivalent to part-time work for full-time employment (Pay Equity, par 2). Women are also faced with sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination

in the workplace. An employer may hire a woman for a job that she is not capable of because the employer wants a woman to be there. This, often times may lead to sexual advances by the employer or co-workers. All employers have a responsibility to treat and pay women, what they deserve with respect.

Age discrimination is mainly aimed toward the older (60 +) and younger (14-17) people in their early teens. Many Americans have been fired, forced into retirement, or turned down from a job due to their age. Older age employers are discriminated against in the workplace because of appearance and their ability to do the work required is believed to slow. Employers are more likely to hire a person who is much younger and more attractive than an elderly person. Also, employers want to employ people who are able to do the work required. This is another way in which older people are discriminated against even though they may be very capable to do the job. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) allows workers to sue employers who they think fired them simply because they were too old (Executive summary, par 4). Employers are also more likely to higher a significantly younger person because he/she will work for less money than an older person. Employers discriminate against the young by not hiring them because of the stereotypes that society puts on youth because of a few irresponsible ones.

Companies discriminate against people with disabilities because they look at the disabled as if they cannot do anything to help themselves. Employers deny work to the disabled because they believe the disable employee will be too slow, and other employees will bring trouble on the disable person. Society often believes that a disabled person will not be able to survive in a world, which can demand more than they can handle. In 1964 to end discrimination the Equal

Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment and to promote programs to make equal employment opportunity a reality. The EEOC has since become responsible for ending discrimination based on age or disability (Equal Employment. par1).

Discrimination, no matter what kind, is something that unfortunately, most people have to deal with at some point in their life. If it s not sex, age, or a disability that is stopping an employer from hiring a person than it could be anything. In any case it is still not fair to anyone trying to find a job. Everyone deserves an equal and fair opportunity at employment.

Work Cited

CQ Researcher, Age Discrimination.

http://libraryip.cq.com

Definition of Discrimination, Dictionary.

www.infoplease.com

Egual Employment Opportunity Commission, Encyclopedia.

www.infoplease.com

Pay Equity, Working Women.

www.amazoncastle.com/feminism/myths.htm