Discrimination in the workplace can happen in any industry or profession and can take many forms. Sometimes, it’s overt, like a job applicant is denied a job because of race or gender. It can be subtle like talking over a particular co-worker because of their race or gender.

Workplace discrimination undermines equality and fairness. To foster an inclusive and supportive work environment, it is crucial to understand and address the various forms of discrimination at work.

Since 1951, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) has been steadfast in its mission to protect the civil rights of people who visit, work, or live in Philadelphia by enforcing the City’s Fair Practices Ordinance (FPO).

“The agency is committed to investigating workplace discrimination claims and holding violators accountable for infringing upon employees’ civil rights,” said PCHR Acting Executive Director Randy Duque. “Philadelphians should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their protected class status.”

Discrimination can negatively impact people’s lives no matter what form it takes. It can make earning a job, promotion, or fair wage harder. It can also lead to feelings of isolation, stress, and anxiety.

Businesses that fail to comply with the FPO and are found liable can face significant financial and reputational costs. These may include monetary penalties, damages awarded to victims, legal fees, and the loss of public trust. Additionally, such violations can lead to increased employee turnover, difficulty attracting top talent, and strained workplace morale, ultimately impacting the organization’s overall productivity and success.

Here are various types of employment discrimination:

  • Race or national origin: This type of workplace discrimination involves unfair treatment, harassment, or denial of employment opportunities based on someone’s racial or ethnic background.
  • Age: Age discrimination involves employment decisions and behaviors based on a person’s age rather than their merit or qualifications.
  • Gender: Gender discrimination is the unequal treatment or consideration of someone based on their gender identity. This can manifest as unequal pay, stereotyping, or sexual harassment. It can affect workers of any gender, including people who identify as transgender or those who fall outside of the gender binary, and is an especially common problem for women in the workplace.
  • Sexual orientation: Workplace discrimination can also involve treating employees differently based on their sexual orientation. This can include prejudiced behavior like harassment, unfair termination, denial of benefits, or creating a hostile work environment for people in the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Disability: Disability discrimination occurs when a workplace treats people with physical or mental disabilities unfairly. It can involve denying reasonable accommodations, refusing employment, offering unequal pay, or excluding them from certain job opportunities.
  • Religious beliefs: Religion-based workplace discrimination occurs when a business treats someone differently than their coworkers because of their religion. This can include harassment or hostility, being denied a job or promotion, or getting fired because of their religious beliefs.

If you have experienced discrimination at work based on race, religion, national origin, gender identity, or other categories protected under the FPO in Philadelphia, call (215) 686-4670 or visit www.phila.gov/humanrelations to start the process of addressing the harm.

www.phila.gov/humanrelations