Austin’s employment laws require that employers treat all genders equally. Glass ceilings and male bias dominate the workforce. When an employee is fired from their job or demoted because of their gender, it violates the law. However, gender discrimination in the workplace is much more complex than this. Therefore, it is crucial to speak with an Austin employment discrimination lawyer familiar with the laws governing gender discrimination.
Definition
Gender discrimination in the workplace can take many forms. The law applies to all genders, although women are most commonly the victims. Gender discrimination can be described as when a corporation treats individuals differently because they are of a specific gender. Although the terms gender and sexuality are often used interchangeably, there is a crucial distinction. Sex refers to the person’s biological identity. Gender refers to the general characteristics society considers masculine or feminine and what an individual identifies with, regardless of the name on their birth certificate. No matter the basis of the discrimination, sex discrimination in the workplace is illegal.
Effects of Discrimination
If an employee is a victim of gender discrimination, they will most likely experience one or more of the following:
- Decline in productivity
- Tension between the victim and the company
- Isolation from the rest of the employees
- Low self-esteem
- Fear, frustration, or anger
Gender and Sex Discrimination Examples
Gender discrimination is subtle or aggressive, and not all discriminating actions in the workplace are obvious. Here are some examples of gender discrimination:
- When gender is a factor in hiring, firing, and promoting people.
- Not Hiring, firing, or promoting someone based on their gender.
- A woman who works her way up in management discovers that a male manager, the same position and duties, is being paid more than she is, despite having equal qualifications.
- Female employees get a pay cut after she has had a baby and can’t work as many overtime hours. Male employees are paid the same but have their overtime reduced for personal reasons.
- Male employees can add their spouses to their insurance, but female employees are not allowed to do so. This is because the husband will have his health benefits.
- Refusing to offer job opportunities to transgender or homosexual individuals.
These examples of gender discrimination are not meant to be a complete list of possible discrimination situations in a workplace.
Discrimination cases are difficult to prove in court because there is rarely any hard evidence, and circumstantial evidence overwhelms the employer’s denials and wins or loses in most cases. However, taking the proper steps at the right time can ensure you get compensation for your suffering.
