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What Are the Causes of Discrimination in the Workplace?

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Discrimination in the workplace is upheld through a system where decision-making power is maintained by one particular group. A non-compliance to affirmative action causes discrimination.

Identification

Discrimination factors are race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. These factors cause discrimination when used to determining applicant status, promotion potential or disciplinary action.

Pre-employment Screening

Credit rating or economic status can adversely effect an employment application. The employer must prove this is essential to the position when soliciting this information.

Benefits

Other causes for workplace discrimination are an abusive relationship of employer and employee through the granting of breaks, leave approval and work station assignment.

Universal Human Rights

"Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work," as stated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A violation of these individual rights causes unlawful discrimination.

Safe Working Conditions

Physical and psychological safety are basic human rights. Forced labor, an unsafe or toxic work environment, and unreasonable work hours cause workplace-related discrimination.

References
Writer

Amie Comeau first published writing and photography in 1998. Her images appear on Fine Art America, and her writing appears on eHow and Answerbag. Comeau studied art therapy at the University of New Mexico and teaches integrative yoga therapy. She has a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Tulane University.

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