The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission defines workplace discrimination as “treating someone differently or less favorably because of our race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy), national origin, disability, age (age 40 or older), or genetic information.” You can be discriminated on by co-workers, managers or business owners.
It is illegal to discriminate in the workplace based on these protected characteristics. The laws set by the EEOC protect you from discrimination in the workplace when it involves:
- Unfair treatment due to race, color, religion, sexual identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or genetic information
- Harassment by co-workers or supervisors in the workplace due to race, color, religion, sexual identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or genetic information
- Denial of reasonable workplace accommodation or change requested because of your religious beliefs or disability
- Improper questions of your genetic information or medical information
- Retaliation once you file a complaint about discrimination on the job