Sex discrimination refers to any type of action that involves treating an employee worse based on their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status. Despite the fact that it is illegal, a shocking number of employers engage in it, making life more difficult for women and men in the workplace. Here are seven potential signs of sex discrimination:
- Women are paid less than men in the same role
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- While sex discrimination does not exclusively impact women, they are more likely to face issues such as being underpaid compared to their male counterparts. This can be difficult to uncover, however, as employers are often reluctant to publicly release information about employee pay.
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- Women receive fewer raises or promotions
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- Even when women start off with the same pay, they may fall off from their male peers due to a lack of advancement opportunities. They may deal with fewer raises, or get fewer chances at promotions to higher positions in the company.
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- Employees are subjected to degrading language
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- Sex discrimination can also take the form of inappropriate or degrading language. This can include unwanted flirting, as well as crass jokes or insults aimed at women or LGBT people.
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- Employees are subjected to unwanted physical contact
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- Regardless of a person’s gender, no one likes to be touched without their consent. Nevertheless, some employers will look the other way when higher-ups engage in unwanted physical impact with their employees.
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- Employees are punished for failure to conform to gender roles
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- While many jobs have a dress code, all employees are permitted to dress however they wish within the bounds of that code. It is considered sex discrimination to punish an employee who dresses in a way atypical for their gender.
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- Workplace events occur in uncomfortable or inappropriate places
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- Sex discrimination may also occur if employers schedule workplace events in places normally considered uncomfortable for women. This may include nightclubs, strip clubs, or anywhere else that may be seen as hostile to women in the workplace.
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- Your employer retaliates against people who report discrimination
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- Finally, if an employer reacts to reports of sex discrimination by punishing the person who reported it, that can be a sign of a hostile work environment. If that happens, you may want to speak to a lawyer with experience handling employment discrimination issues.
Steven Mitchell Sack, the Employee’s Lawyer, is a New York employment lawyer with more than 44 years’ experience handling the many aspects of employment law. His new book, “Fired!: Protect Your Rights & FIGHT BACK If You’re Terminated, Laid Off, Downsized, Restructured, Forced to Resign or Quit,” is available in hardback, and contains valuable advice on dealing with employment and labor law issues. To purchase the book, feel free to contact Steven Sack at 917-371-8000 or visit the website at legalstratpub.com. To inquire about a legal matter, please feel free to contact attorney Steven Sack at 917-371-8000 or stevensackatty@hotmail.com.
