Wednesday, 17 October 2012

What to Do when Experiencing Gender Discrimination

Actions may sometimes be restrained; thus, you have to be vigilant of your employer’s as well as co-workers’ actions. When you are treated unfairly because of your gender and when it apparently affects the terms and conditions of employment, then it sure is illegal.


Terms and conditions here comprise job position, being hired or fired from a job, compensation, and job training opportunities.

It is stated in the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that employment discrimination in any form should not be exhibited in any manner, especially on the basis of color, race, national origin, ethnic group participation, gender, religion, age, and disability (including pregnancy).

Accordingly, here are the important things to do if you think you are being discriminated based on your gender:

  • Write down the event. 
Write down dates, times, places, and possible witnesses. You may also ask your co-workers to write down what they saw or heard, especially if they also suffered from the same conduct. 

  • Review your personnel file. 
Checking your personnel file is one of your rights as an employee. In some states, if you are working for a private employer, you have the right to ask for copies of everything in your file that you have previously signed. 

  • Create a paper trail. 
Put your claim in white and black. Be as detailed as you can be in describing the problem and how you want to settle it. With this, you will have a written record of the time you cast your complaint and what happened afterwards. Also, keep copies of everything you send and receive from your employer. 

  • Ask help from your union.
If you belong to a union, you can file a formal complaint through such group and ask for help in the grievance process. Get a copy of the union’s grievance policy and check whether or not it discusses the problems you are experiencing.

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