Workplace discrimination is something that was outlawed years ago, and companies aren’t allowed to do it under the law. But, of course, many still do, even if it is by covert means. 

When this happens, you need to act. If you don’t, it could put your career at risk and prevent you from progressing to where you want to go. 

But what are the signs that discrimination is taking place? And how can you fight back? 

Signs You’re Being Discriminated Against

The signs that you’re being discriminated against can sometimes be challenging to see. You can’t always recognize them straight away, with some being more obvious than others. That’s why it is so critical to brush up on your knowledge of what happens in firms when discrimination occurs. 

1. Unequal Pay

The most obvious sign of a problem is unequal pay. If you’re getting paid half of a colleague who does the same work as you, then it suggests that the company is persecuting you, at least in a legal, discriminatory way. 

For example, let’s say that you and a coworker are both analysts and work 40 hours per week in the office. If you get paid 20% less, that’s a clear sign that your efforts aren’t being valued as much as they should. 

Now, it could be the case that bonuses are clouding the picture. But if the base pay is different for the same job, that’s a sign that something’s wrong and requires investigation. 

2. Hostile Work Environment

Another sign of discrimination is a hostile work environment. If people are making offensive comments and jokes that are tied to you in some way, that could count as discrimination, which is an unfair practice. 

In some circumstances, you might be willing to minimize it as “office banter” but most professionals would caution against that. It can lead to the establishment of a toxic work culture and harm other employees if things continue the way they are. 

When it comes to a hostile work environment, the people perpetrating the unpleasant actions will often say things like “it’s only a joke.” But if you feel disrespected, harassed or belittled on the job, that’s a sign that you need to take action or leave. 

3. Exclusion From Opportunities

Being excluded from opportunities is another sign of clear discrimination against you. Unfortunately, it is also quite subtle. It’s hard to get angry with a boss who never promotes you. 

Sometimes, these exclusions are obvious. For example, everyone on the team is invited to a training day, but not you. However, other times, it’s not so clear that something’s wrong, like when you’re invited to an interview for a promotion, but someone else gets the job. 

When you keep track of your achievements and see a mis-match between your progress and how other people are performing, it can make this form of discrimination more obvious. However, it may simply be a performance issue, which is why it is critical to get professional assistance before taking action. 

4. Unfair Treatment

Unfair treatment is a little more obvious. It’s where your employers deliberately treat you worse than your peers. For example, you might have tougher assignments or harsher discipline for the same offenses. 

Unfair treatment is unfortunately very common in many companies and managers sometimes have favorites. Bosses may see you as expendable, or they may be taking their frustrations out on you. 

5. Retaliation

Finally, you may be a victim of retaliation at your firm. For example, you might receive blowback after reporting an issue like discrimination or bullying. Punishments can include things like reduced working hours or demotions that aren’t related to performance. 

Retaliation is a serious issue and illegal in most areas. Employers aren’t allowed to do it, whether overtly or covertly, and can’t simply kick you out of the firm because you did the right thing. 

Retaliation can take multiple forms, too, which is why it is one of the most challenging signs to recognize. Demotions and pay cuts are obvious, but things like sudden criticism in front of other people or even schedule changes could constitute a form of retaliation. 

What to Do About Company Discrimination

So, what can you do when a company discriminates against you? 

The key is to act strategically. You don’t want to do anything brash. Instead, you want to spot the signs, chronicle them where possible, and pay close attention to them. 

Remember, the law provides you with a lot of protection. If employers have been discriminating against you in some way, it is a serious issue. 

Write Everything Down; Record And Document

First, you’ll want to record and document what happens to you. Making copies of every incident, including dates, times, people involved, and location is helpful. If you can record these interactions or actions, that’s even better. Video and electronic records hold considerable weight in court and at tribunals. 

Witnesses can also help you. These are people at the office who can testify that what you’re saying is true. Often, you will find in toxic workplaces that many people have had the same experience as you and are willing to fight on your side. 

Know Your Rights

At the same time, you want to brush up on your rights. As stated above, the law provides extensive legal protection. 

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the primary body that deals with these matters in the U.S. It’s responsible for communicating the anti-discrimination rules, so it is something you should read if you want to learn more about the case you have against your employer. 

Other countries have similar bodies, especially in the developed Western world. Consulting with these is essential. 

Report Internally

If there are mechanisms for internal reporting, you should use these too. Large companies often have remediation channels because they want to avoid cases going to court. 

However, you should be careful when relying on these. You don’t always know who is loyal to whom. Furthermore, HR may prioritize the company interest over yours. 

Seek Legal Advice

The best option is to go to a labor and employment lawyer. They can provide advice and guidance on what you should do every step of the way, including helping you build an airtight case and ensuring you get any compensation owed to you. 

As an employee, you’re used to the idea that companies behave and workers don’t. But it goes both ways. Many firms behave appallingly towards their employees and will often break the law if they feel it is in their interest or there’s minimal risk of blowback. Going to a legal professional can often prevent this from occurring, ensuring better treatment immediately, and begin the legal process for getting you compensation.

File a Complaint

If lawyers can’t deal with the issue outside of the courts, they will sometimes send a letter to your company demanding that they go to trial. These appearances can be costly for firms so they are usually willing to settle outside of court.

However, this step is where it is critical to have a professional team behind you. Companies will often have their own attorneys and they will look for cracks in your case, which is something professional lawyers can identify before they exploit them. 

Consider Leaving

Ultimately, you may want to consider leaving. You don’t need to stay in a toxic company, even if you are only part-way through your case. 

Leaving is usually seen as a measure of last resort. However, it could be helpful if it is affecting your mental health and you have other options you could explore.