Discrimination in the workplace can take many forms and can have a serious impact on the individuals who experience it, as well as on the overall culture of an organisation. Here are 12 common types of discrimination that can occur in the workplace:

  1. Age discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their age. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to older workers or making age-related jokes or comments.
  2. Gender discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their gender. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to women or making sexist jokes or comments.
  3. Racial discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their race. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to people of colour or making racist jokes or comments.
  4. Religious discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their religious beliefs. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to people of certain religions or making religious jokes or comments.
  5. Sexual orientation discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their sexual orientation. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to LGBTQ+ individuals or making homophobic or transphobic jokes or comments.
  6. Disability discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their disability. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to people with disabilities or not making reasonable accommodations for their needs.
  7. National origin discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their national origin. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to people of certain national origins or making jokes or comments about people’s accents or cultural backgrounds.
  8. Pregnancy discrimination: Treating a woman unfavourably because she is pregnant or has a pregnancy-related condition. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to pregnant women or not accommodating them with reasonable accommodations.
  9. Marital status discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their marital status. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to people who are married, divorced, or single.
  10. Political discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their political views. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to people who have certain political affiliations or beliefs.
  11. Genetic discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably because of their genetic information. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to people who have a certain genetic predisposition to a certain condition.
  12. Retaliation discrimination: Treating someone unfavourably as a form of retaliation for complaining about discrimination or harassment. This can include denying opportunities or promotions to people who have made a complaint or participating in an investigation.

It is important to note that discrimination can also occur in subtle or unconscious ways. For example, an employer may not intend to discriminate, but their hiring practices may have a disproportionate impact on certain groups of people. Additionally, it is important to note that there are laws and regulations that protect people from discrimination in the workplace. Employers have a legal responsibility to create a work environment that is free from discrimination, and employees who experience discrimination have the right to take legal action.

In conclusion, discrimination in the workplace can take many forms, and it is important for employers to be aware of the different types of discrimination and take steps to prevent it. A work environment that is free from discrimination is not only legally required, but it is also essential for creating a positive and productive culture.