What is Systemic discrimination?
Systemic discrimination, also known as institutionalized discrimination, refers to the ongoing, embedded biases within workplace policies, procedures, and interactions that result in unfair treatment of individuals based on shared characteristics such as race, gender, age, or disability. Unlike isolated incidents, systemic discrimination is deeply ingrained in organizational structures and can persist over time.
Types of Systemic Discrimination in the Workplace
Age Discrimination:
Occurs when employees or job applicants are treated unfairly due to their age.
Common examples include hiring biases against older candidates or denying promotions based on age.
Disability Discrimination:
Involves unfavorable treatment of employees or candidates with disabilities.
This can include refusal to provide reasonable accommodations or excluding qualified individuals based on their condition.
Genetic Discrimination:
Discrimination based on genetic information, such as family medical history or results from genetic testing.
Can lead to biases in hiring, promotions, or health insurance decisions.
Pregnancy Discrimination:
Treating a woman unfairly due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
Examples include denial of maternity leave, exclusion from promotions, or termination due to pregnancy.
Race/Color Discrimination:
Unjust treatment of individuals based on their race, ethnicity, or skin color.
This can manifest in biased hiring practices, wage disparities, or workplace segregation.
Religious Discrimination:
Occurs when an employee is treated unfairly due to their religious beliefs or practices.
Includes denying accommodations for religious practices or creating a hostile work environment based on faith.
Sex Discrimination:
Treating someone unfavorably due to their gender or sexual orientation.
Examples include gender-based pay gaps, limited career advancement opportunities, or workplace harassment.