DiscriminationDiscrimination Does Does NotNot D i s c r i m i n a t D i s c r i m i n a t ee

“This workshop will provide students the opportunity to examine discrimination at various levels.  We will discuss the many groups and individuals that are discriminated against as well as what reactions are typical.  In addition, we will discuss how each of us has been touched by discrimination and how we addressed the feelings of discrimination.”

The Facts:The Facts: About 600 million people in the world experience disabilities of various types and degrees.

Only 24 states and D.C. include sexual orientation in their hate crime legislation.

African Americans are 79% more likely to live where industrial pollution causes numerous health hazards…

The large majority of racially motivated hate crimes are against African Americans.

Immigrants are an essential element in keeping the American economy strong.

1/3 of American women and 1/4 of women worldwide will experience domestic/dating violence in their lifetime…

The overwhelming majority of religiously motivated hate crimes are directed against Jews.

Two-thirds of the world’s children who receive less than four years of education are girls.

While most drug offenders are white, black men are 11.8 times more likely than white men to be imprisoned on drug charges....

According to hate crime statistics published annually by the FBI, anti-Latino hate crimes rose by almost 35% between 2003 and 2006, the latest year for which statistics are available.*From DoSomething.com

I.   What is I.   What is Discrimination?Discrimination?Activity-

Discuss what it is and what groups are discriminated against.

To "discriminate" means to distinguish, single out, or make a distinction.

In everyday life, when faced with more than one option, we discriminate in arriving at almost every decision we make.

But in the context of civil rights law, unlawful discrimination refers to unfair or unequal treatment of an individual (or group) based on certain characteristics, including: AgeDisabilityEthnicityGenderMarital statusNational originRaceReligion, andSexual orientation.

What environments can What environments can discrimination occur? discrimination occur? Education EmploymentHousingGovernment benefits

and servicesHealth care servicesLand use / zoningLending and creditPublic

accommodations (Access to buildings and businesses)

TransportationVoting

Protected ClassProtected Class

Activities-What is this?

Write down examples of what you think are protected classes

Write down examples of how you have witnessed someone being discriminated against

What to do if you feel you have been discriminated against:

Before you file a claim for discrimination, you might want to consider that most discrimination is not deliberate. In many cases, the interviewer may simply be ignorant of the law. Even though the interviewer may have ask an illegal question it doesn't necessarily mean that the intent was to discriminate or that a crime has been committed.

If you believe you have been discriminated against by an employer, labor union or employment agency when applying for a job or while on the job because of your race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability, or believe that you have been discriminated against because of opposing a prohibited practice or participating in an equal employment opportunity matter, you may file a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

V.  What are some possible problem V.  What are some possible problem areas in the areas in the workplaceworkplace and what are and what are your resources?your resources?Activity Write down questions you think

may be illegal or questions you were asked in an interview situation

Examples:Illegal What is your marital status? With whom do you live? Do you plan to have a family-when? What many kids do you have? What are your child-care

arrangements?Legal Would you be willing to relocate if

necessary? Would you be able and willing to

travel as needed for this job? Would you be able and willing to

work overtime as necessary?

Dealing with Discrimination in the Workplace (from the employer's perspective)

Here are some general guidelines for managers to follow when confronted by any type of discrimination:

Pay attention to what you don’t always see.

Don’t play favorites. Keep your personal beliefs

personal. Be careful of what you say

and to whom you say it. Respond quickly. Educate yourself. Formalize the policy and the

consequence.

The Employment The Employment InterviewInterview Employers should not ask

about any of the following, because to not hire a candidate because of any one of them is discriminatory: Race Color Sex Religion National origin Birthplace Age Disability Marital/family status Your Options

What should you say if you feel you have been asked a discriminatory question?Options:

Answer the question. Answer the "intent" of the

question. For example, if you are asked whether you are a United States citizen (not legal to ask), reply that you are authorized to work in the U.S., which is a question the employer can ask you and which is appropriate to answer.

Try to change the topic of conversation and avoid the question.

Refuse to answer the question which might cost you the job if you are very uncomfortable with the question. However, consider whether you really want to work somewhere where you are asked questions that are not appropriate.

The WorkplaceThe Workplace What to do if you feel you have been discriminated

against:

Before You File a Claim

Before you file a claim for discrimination, you might want to consider that most discrimination is not deliberate. In many cases, the interviewer may simply be ignorant of the law. Even though the interviewer may have ask an illegal question it doesn't necessarily mean that the intent was to discriminate or that a crime has been committed.

If you believe you have been discriminated against by an employer, labor union or employment agency when applying for a job or while on the job because of your race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability, or believe that you have been discriminated against because of opposing a prohibited practice or participating in an equal employment opportunity matter, you may file a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

To file a charge, contact an attorney who handles labor issues or contact your local EEOC office:

Video - Video - Workplace Discrimination

Forty years ago, the Forty years ago, the 1964 Civil Rights Act1964 Civil Rights Act was enacted to eliminate deeply entrenched was enacted to eliminate deeply entrenched patterns of employment discrimination patterns of employment discrimination against persons because of their race, against persons because of their race, religion, sex, or national origin. In 1967, religion, sex, or national origin. In 1967, Congress prohibited employment Congress prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of age and, in discrimination on the basis of age and, in 1990, prohibited employment discrimination 1990, prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of disabilityon the basis of disability..