Types Of Discrimination At Workplace

Sorting the types of discrimination at the workplace by who is responsible tells you which control you actually need, because the same conduct from different sources requires a different response.

• By a manager. Carries the most weight because it affects decisions and because complaining means complaining about the person who manages you. Needs a reporting route that bypasses them.
• By a colleague. Usually behavioural rather than decisional. Needs clear standards and peers willing to challenge in the moment.
• By a third party. Clients, customers, patients or contractors. Employers still have duties here, and this is the category most often treated as unavoidable.
• By the system. A criterion or process that disadvantages a group with no person behind it. Needs auditing, because it will never be reported.

Third party conduct deserves particular attention. It is common in frontline work and staff frequently assume nothing can be done about it. The Australian Human Rights Commission publishes guidance for organisations. This is general information rather than legal advice.

See Sentrient’s equal employment opportunity course and workplace bullying course.