How to Stop Discrimination in the Workplace

Preventing discrimination in the workplace requires diligence and planning.

Discrimination is still a large problem in society and in the workplace. It can be a difficult issue to curtail because there are many different types of discrimination that can affect people's behavior and perceptions. Employees can be discriminated against because of their race, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity and even age. Each of these issues has its own sensitivities and problems but stopping discrimination in the workplace requires an across-the-board ban on unequal treatment and vigorous enforcement on behalf of managers and employees.

Instructions

1. Accept that people have biases. The goal in removing discrimination is to not necessarily change people's perceptions, but rather to ensure those perceptions do not influence their behavior towards other workers. It is easier to alter a behavior than a belief.

2. Establish specific policies that apply to all employees equally and put them in writing. If a rule is broken, the subsequent punishment needs to be the same for any employee who breaks that rule. Likewise, rewards for good behavior need to be the same. Keeping incentives and disciplinary measures standardized helps eliminate personal feelings that can result in favoritism or discrimination.

3. Maintain open communication with all employees so there is a way for complaints and possible discrimination to be expressed to management in a timely manner. These complaints also need to be promptly addressed and investigated.

4. Question decisions before they are made to search for any hidden biases. If you are about to make a decision that can affect an employee, take into account if the employee has any factors about him that could foster discrimination. If he does, make sure that your decision is in no way affected by this factor. If it isn't, move forward with your decision. If it is, alter your planned course of action or discuss the issue with other managers or higher-ups before an official decision is made.

References

• The HR Cafe: Discrimination in the Workplace- Who's Most Likely to Trigger a Lawsuit?
• All Business: Dealing with Discrimination in the Workplace
• Diversity Jobs: How to Stop Workplace Discrimination and Create a Healthy Working Environment