Both Missouri and federal laws prohibit employers from subjecting employees to discrimination at work because of their protected characteristics. If your employer discriminates against you based on your race, gender, age, sexual orientation or nationality of origin, you may sue them for damages.
One of the most common forms of discrimination at work is gender discrimination. Here are three common types of gender discrimination in the workplace.
Pregnancy discrimination
It’s not uncommon for employers to hesitate to hire young female employees due to their potential desire to start families and take time away from work. For the same reason, some employers often leave out female workers during promotions.
Harassment
Despite years of campaigns and numerous legislations, sexual harassment remains a common problem in most workplaces. Even when the harassment in question is not sexual in nature, gender-based harassment can also target transgender, non-binary or gender non-conforming employees.
Variation in pay
Most workplaces are not transparent regarding how employees’ salaries are set.
So what are the signs of gender discrimination at work?
Gender discrimination at work can manifest in a number of ways. Here are some of them:
- When a potential employer turns down your job application based on your gender
- When an employer by-passes you for promotion based on your gender
- When your employer treats you more harshly than colleagues of the opposite gender for a similar mistake
Gender discrimination at work affects both employees and employers alike. Knowing your legal options can help you safeguard your rights and interests if you are discriminated against based on your gender.