Gender discrimination is a term used to describe unlawful workplace actions based on someone’s gender. Inappropriate touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexually charged jokes, blocking or intimidating movements are examples of gender discrimination in workplaces.
Not only women but men also become a victim of gender discrimination. Gender discrimination is not limited to opposite-sex parties. However, if you become a victim of gender discrimination, seek help from a gender discrimination lawyer in New Jersey.
Four main types of gender discrimination that you might become a victim of:
1. Direct discrimination
It happens when you are treated worse than someone in the same situation because of your sex. A similar example is when a nightclub party offers free entry for women but charges men to get in.
2. Indirect discrimination
It happens when your organization has a policy that applies the same way for both genders but puts you at a downside because of your sex. For example-
If an employer decides to change working patterns to work full time, it can become difficult for women if they have their children and other responsibilities. Sometimes, indirect discrimination is permitted if the employer can show a good reason for the policy. This process is known as objective justification.
3. Harassment
There are three types of harassment related to gender.
- The first type of harassment is the same for all employees. It occurs when someone makes you feel humiliated or offended in your workplace.
For example, an employer comments that there is no reason to promote women because they have children. Even though the comment is not directed towards any particular female employee, some female workers can get upset and worry about their careers.
- The second type includes sexual harassment. Any kind of unwanted behavior of a sexual nature that includes verbal and physical treatment, sexual jokes, touching, or assault is termed as sexual harassment. It also includes sending emails or texts of sexual nature or putting pornographic pictures.
For example, if an employer makes sexual jokes about a female worker and hints that she will be promoted if she sleeps with him.
- The third type of harassment includes when someone mistreats you after refusing to engage with sexual harassment.
For example, if a manager invites his female worker to his home after drinking, but she declines. After a few days, she was turned down for promotion. She believes this is because of turning down her boss’ proposal.
4. Victimization
It happens when you are mistreated for making a complaint against sex-related discrimination or if you are supporting someone who complained. For example, a male colleague is poorly treated by his employer because he is helping a female co-worker to claim against sex-related discrimination.