Most people need to go to work in order to earn enough money to pay the bills. In many cases you will have found a job in a field that you are passionate about, it makes the time spent at work more enjoyable.
However, no matter how good a job can seem, there are times when things go wrong and the job you were passionate about becomes something you dread doing. There are many reasons why this can be the case and unfair treatment doesn’t always start when you first work with the company. It can happen after a change of staff or circumstances.
Understanding Unfair Treatment
In a nutshell, unfair treatment in the workplace is when people act differently toward one person or group than they do toward everyone else. This classes as discrimination and there are many different groups of people that can be discriminated against:
- Age
Unfortunately, there are still many people that are discriminated against because they are too old, too young, or simply the wrong age in comparison to their boss.
- Race
The world is made up of many different nationalities with different beliefs and customs. But, everyone is human and no one should be treated differently because of where they were born.
- Color
Equally, people born in sunnier climes tend to have darker skins than those in cooler climates, this is to protect them better from the sun that is hotter and therefore more dangerous. Again, it doesn’t change the fact that everyone, regardless of color, is human and should be treated the same.
- Sex
Sex is becoming a fluid concept. In the past, many women were discriminated against simply because they were female. Today this still happens but people are also discriminated against if they are gay, trans, or even identify differently in different situations.
- Disability
People with mental or physical disabilities are often perceived as inferior to able-bodied humans. This isn’t actually the case and is a form of discrimination.
- Religion
It can be argued that religion is the cause of many wars, although not all. Regardless, it isn’t surprising that different religious beliefs have sprung up across the globe. But, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and shouldn’t be discriminated against because they have a different god or none at all.
- Pregnancy
Pregnant women often find themselves thought of as incapable of certain tasks. This is a form of discrimination. But, what is worse is that the discrimination continues after the birth as the mother is no longer perceived n the same way.
- Political Allegiance
Finally, everyone has a right to their own opinion regarding aliens, who should run the country, and other meaningful items. Being discriminated against because your political beliefs are different from someone else’s is unfair treatment.
If you’re experiencing any of the above then you should take further action. It can help to see a reputable unfair dismissal lawyer as they will guide you through the process and can even help if you do end up being dismissed.
Don’t forget that many examples of unfair treatment in the workplace are designed to drive someone out of the job.
Deciding If You Are being Unfairly Treated
If you think you are being unfairly treated then there is a good chance that you are. But, before you take the next step it’s a good idea to pause and take stock.
- Is Your Treatment Unique?
If you appear to be the only one treated in a certain way and it makes you uncomfortable then you are being unfairly treated. Deciding fair treatment is surprisingly easy. If every member of staff is treated the same way then there is no unfair treatment. But, even one being treated differently is an issue in the workplace that needs to be resolved.
- Do Your Dread Work?
If it is becoming increasingly difficult to go to work every day because you know your colleagues are going to be nasty to you, then you have a good reason to file a complaint and get the matter resolved.
If you do nothing it is likely that your productivity will drop and your attendance. This will lead to you being fired which may even be done through the proper process. However, if you have logged the unfair treatment this will make it more difficult for any employer to simply fire you.
Taking The Next Steps
If your employer or someone in the company is discriminating against you then you need to take follow-up action. If you don’t and simply quit, there is a good chance the next employee will experience the same issues, despite the fact that you could have stopped them from happening again.
If you feel you are being treated unfairly then you need to speak to someone in authority. This should start with your line supervisor. However, it depends on who has been treating you unfairly. You need to speak to someone that outranks them. This may mean going to the HR department or to the big boss.
Whatever you do, make sure you check the process described in your handbook and follow it exactly. You should also record incidents of unfair treatment and everything to do with your complaints procedure.
You will need this information if the company doesn’t deal with the issue satisfactorily for you. Should that be the case you’ll need to speak to the unfair dismissal lawyer and get them to follow up on the matter for you.
Additional Facts
It should be noted that being treated differently does not always constitute unfair treatment. Providing there is a good reason why you are being treated differently. For example, if you are placed on an improvement plan because you keep making mistakes and then continue to make mistakes. The company can take disciplinary action because it is related to your work, not the fact you are of a different religion, color, etc.
If you’re not sure about whether you are a victim of unfair treatment, speak to a professional first.
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