Avoiding Discrimination at Work
Create an anti-discrimination policy for your workplace. Make sure your employees understand what types of behavior are and are not acceptable. Post these rules in public places like a lunch room, communal workspace, or water cooler. Send an email out to all of your employees as well. Emphasize that jokes based on gender, sexuality, race, or religion are not acceptable to make in the workplace. Forbid derogatory language, such as racial slurs or insults based on age, disability, gender, religion, or sexuality. State that promotions, raises, and other opportunities will be decided on experience and skills, not on race, gender, sexuality, age, or religion.
Enforce consequences for breaking the anti-discrimination policy. Write down the protocol for reporting incidents of harassment or discrimination in your workplace and post it near the rules. This will help employees understand what they must to do to report an incident as well as what the consequences are. Consequences may include anti-discrimination training, a workshop with HR, or (depending on your industry) temporary leave. Make sure that employees understand that incidents of discrimination will be factored into their performance reviews.
Write job advertisements to appeal to a broad range of people. It is important that job postings do not discourage certain people from applying. Focus on what skills are necessary for the job. Avoid singling out a particular age, gender, or lifestyle for your ideal candidate. Focus on skills, such as years of experience, technical capability, or degree requirements. Do not state that the ideal job is for young people, retirees, men, U.S. citizens, or other groups, as these can all be considered forms of discrimination. Insert a diversity and inclusion policy into your job advertisement. State that you are an equal opportunity workplace and do not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or disability.
Require the same documents from all applicants. Don’t ask for additional documents related to work history just because someone appears foreign or “ethnic.” As long as the employee can provide their I-9 and other required documents for the job, do not investigate their job history.
Handle accusations of discrimination seriously. If someone claims that they are being discriminated against, refer them to your human resources officer. Interview the people who are causing the discrimination, and write everything down. Keep these records in case another incident occurs. Do not tell the person that they are being “too sensitive” or “imagining things.” Depending on the severity of the accusation, you may need to enforce disciplinary action, such as sensitivity training or job probation. If your business is too small for a dedicated HR position, appoint someone to be a “contact officer,” who is responsible for handling discrimination issues in addition to their normal duties.
Provide yearly staff training on discrimination or harassment. Training might include sensitivity workshops, cross-cultural education, or an inclusivity seminar. Always remind your employees about the office’s anti-discrimination policies at these meetings. Training should include topics of gender, race, LGBTQ+ status, size, disability, religion, and age.
Make your office or workspace ADA accessible. Accessibility means that all of your employees can reach and access the necessary resources, locations, and tools necessary to complete their job. People with physical or mental disabilities may require different tools or resources. Installing a ramp at a retail location, installing a sit/stand desk for an employee with a chronic back problem, or protecting an autistic person's ability to fidget at board meetings helps people with mobility issues, physical disabilities, or mental difficulties. If an employee asks to leave early for a doctor’s appointment or to work from home because of medical issues, it's best to give them the flexibility that they need. If the requests become extensive or constant, it may be time to chat with the employee about what's going on.
Know the reasons why you can and cannot refuse service. You can't refuse service on the grounds of protected class, including (depends on your state): race, religion, sex, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, familial status, veteran status, among others. For example, a formal restaurant can refuse service if the customer is not wearing formal attire. A formal restaurant, though, cannot refuse service solely because the customer is wearing a head covering for religious reasons.
Stopping Discrimination in Schools
Use educational materials that represent a diverse group of people. Books, posters, videos, and other material used in classes should show people from different races, religions, and lifestyles. These materials will create a safe atmosphere and encourage children from different backgrounds to participate. EXPERT TIP Joseph Meyer Joseph Meyer Math Teacher Joseph Meyer is a High School Math Teacher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is an educator at City Charter High School, where he has been teaching for over 7 years. Joseph is also the founder of Sandbox Math, an online learning community dedicated to helping students succeed in Algebra. His site is set apart by its focus on fostering genuine comprehension through step-by-step understanding (instead of just getting the correct final answer), enabling learners to identify and overcome misunderstandings and confidently take on any test they face. He received his MA in Physics from Case Western Reserve University and his BA in Physics from Baldwin Wallace University. Joseph Meyer Joseph Meyer Math Teacher Support social justice practices in your school. Use data to explore social justice issues. Analyze who's enrolling in classes at school by factors like race and gender to identify potential inequalities. Discuss the implications of these findings with others and brainstorm solutions to promote equity.
Call on students randomly to avoid favoring one group over another. To avoid seeming like you are favoring or picking on certain students, call on them randomly by picking names out of a bowl or writing their names on sticks. Don't call on them again until you have cycled through all of the names.
Provide accommodation for students with disabilities or other needs. If a student has a document called an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), you must provide reasonable accommodation for their situation. Reasonable accommodation includes allowing them to use special devices in class, using a note taker, giving them extra time on tests, or giving the student more time to get between classes. Make sure that your school has ramps, elevators, and other structures to improve accessibility at the school. Even if the child does not have an IEP yet, work with them and their parents to create an accommodation plan that will help them succeed. This will help you avoid any claims of disability discrimination.
Avoid asking students to be representatives of their race, religion, or lifestyle. While it may be welcoming to ask students to talk about their experience, singling them out can make them feel isolated or different. Let a student talk about these issues on their own. Try not to make them a token representative of their background.
Handle reports of bullying and discrimination quickly. Do not ignore the complaint or tell the student that they are being too sensitive. Investigate the issue by talking to students who may have witnessed the bullying. Take disciplinary action against the bullies if possible. You might give the bullies detention or move them to a different class. You can also offer after-school counseling and sensitivity training to repeat offenders.
Reducing Housing Discrimination
Consider all applicants for selling or renting a home. According to the Fair Housing Act in the U.S., you cannot discriminate when selling or renting a property due to a person's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. When advertising a home, remember that you must treat all applicants equally.
Write an advertisement that focuses on the property, not on the tenant. The advertisement should contain the size, amenities, and cost of the home. Focus on the good qualities of the property. Don’t list what you want in a tenant, as this could be seen as excluding other types of people. For example, don’t say that you would prefer young women to live in your home or that you don’t rent to students. Even words like “ideal for families” or “a perfect bachelor pad” can be seen as discrimination, as it might seem as though you are requesting a certain type of applicant.
Set the same requirements for each applicant. Don't ask someone for a higher deposit, credit score, or references than you do other applicants. This can be seen as discrimination. Establish ahead of time what requirements a tenant must fulfill. For example, don’t ask 1 person for more references just because they are young and single. Ask each potential tenant for the same number of references. If someone calls and asks about the home, make sure to give them the same exact information as you do everyone else. Don’t make assumptions about them based on their name or accent.
Choose your tenants based on their income, credit, and references. Choosing a tenant should be based on business factors. If an applicant has the right income level to afford the home, good credit, and strong references, rent or sell them the home.
Avoid making exceptions for certain tenants. Don't do special favors or offer benefits to certain tenants and not others. If you give 1 tenant a month off of rent or lower their deposit, other tenants can argue that you prefer certain people.
Speaking without Bias
Use inclusive language instead of derogatory terms. Using accepting language is the first step to being inclusive and open. Pay attention to the terms that you use. Never use racial, sexual, or religious slurs. Choose appropriate language when talking about disability, race, gender, age, etc. Most minority communities have specific language preferences which are very important to them. If you're not sure what language a specific person prefers, don't be afraid to ask them! When you're uncertain of someone's gender, stick to gender-neutral terms like “partner” instead of "boyfriend" or "girlfriend," “they” instead of “he” or “she,” and “parent” instead of “mom” or “dad.” Use your best judgment for when it is appropriate to use more gender-specific words. You may think a derogatory term is “okay” because a friend from a certain group might say it. Keep in mind, however, that this does not necessarily mean that it is acceptable for you to use that term.
Listen to others when they explain their ideas or experience. When someone else is talking, let them talk. Avoid interrupting them. Consider their ideas, validate their experiences, and make sure they know that you appreciate what they say. It is common for certain groups of people to be silenced, ignored, or rejected because of their gender, race, religion, or identity. Even if you disagree with an idea, thank the person for giving it. Repeat back what people say so that they know you are listening. You can say, “What I am hearing is that you feel upset when your ideas are ignored.” In a group setting, make sure that everyone has a chance to be heard. If 1 person is monopolizing the conversation, say something like, “Thanks for your time. Now let’s hear from someone else.”
Avoid assuming someone’s gender, sexuality, race, or nationality. Someone’s appearance, voice, or clothing is not a good indicator of their identity. When meeting people, do not make comments about their background unless they have specifically told you about you. Don't ask someone what country they are from just because you think they look or sound like an immigrant. If someone asks you to use certain pronouns to refer to them, respect their wishes. If you're uncertain about something, ask politely. For example, you might ask, “Do you mind if I ask what terminology you prefer?"
Tell appropriate, unoffensive jokes. Humor can lighten the mood, but it is often taken at another person’s expense. Avoid jokes that make fun of someone’s ethnicity, race, gender, or sexuality. Just because something is meant to be a joke doesn't mean that others won't find it offensive.
Socialize with a wide variety of people. Hanging out with a more diverse group of people can help you reduce your own biases. Go out to meet people by trying new experiences. You can: Volunteer at a charity. Join a social justice club. Take a class to learn a new skill. Visit a house of worship. Attend a cultural festival. Write to an international pen pal.
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