The 7 Types of Discrimination Your Managers and Supervisors Must Avoid

Discrimination, the dark side of fairness, plus an introduction to the famous "50/50": the compendium of 50 employment laws in 50 states.

Nondiscrimination is the legal side of fairness. Illegal discrimination comes in many forms, some obvious and overt, some subtle and hard to spot. Here's what to avoid:

1: Overt discrimination (I don't like Xs)
This is the out-in-the-open type of discrimination that most people think of when they hear the word. For example:
•I don't like to work with [women, men, old people, white people, black people, Asian people, disabled people].
•My customers don't like to deal with [women, men, old people, white people, black people, Asian people, disabled people].
•I don't like to hire [young women because they get pregnant and go on leave].
•I'm not promoting [anyone over 40—they don't have enough energy].

2: Stereotyping (Xs can't X)
Stereotyping usually takes the form of "Xs can't X."
•Women aren't strong enough.
•Men aren't compassionate enough.
•Xs aren't smart enough.

3: Patronizing (Xs shouldn't X)
This is a special form of stereotyping that seems well-intentioned, but is, in general, discriminatory. For example:
•Terry is active in the community; he/she won't want to relocate.
•Parents with young children shouldn't travel.
•Women shouldn't travel alone.
•Pregnant women can't [travel, lift, move, be stressed].

4: 'Avoidance' Discrimination
Some managers try to play a game of avoidance discrimination. They say, "If I can get in trouble talking to X, no problem. I'll never talk to X." Don't use this thinking; it is discriminatory and it won't fly.

5: Playing favorites (I always turn to my friends)
All managers have groups with whom they feel most comfortable. But if you always turn to that group when you need to hire, you are discriminating. And you've got friends at work with whom you're comfortable. If they always get the plum projects, bonuses, and promotions, you are discriminating.

6: De facto (I just never seem to hire Xs)
One of the more subtle forms of discrimination is called "de facto." In these situations, there are never any direct statements against hiring or promoting certain types of people—it just never seems to happen. For example, you're not against hiring women in a certain job, but although many qualified women have applied, of the last 50 hires, all 50 were men.

7: Reverse discrimination
Reverse discrimination means discrimination against someone as a result of your attempts not to discriminate against someone else. You probably don't have significant exposure unless you have a very strong, quota-type program favoring one protected group.
Today's HR Daily Advisor Tip: Summarized & edited for use in this blog.

The Whitford Group, TheWhitfordGroup@aol.com 704 298-2115