Unintentional Discrimination

When people think of discrimination, they tend to consider overt forms of prejudice against groups based on certain characteristics, such as race, gender, or religious affiliation. This type of behavior has largely gone out of practice in the workplace since the passage of civil rights legislation in the 1960s. However, the continuing disparities between employment patterns among different social groups have led some to conclude that unintentional workplace discrimination may be an ongoing problem.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of employment discrimination, whether intentional or unintentional, you may require the assistance of a legal professional to help you fight for justice. Contact the Austin employment attorneys of The Melton Law Firm, today at 512-330-0017 to discuss your situation with an attorney and learn more about filing a discrimination lawsuit.

Forms of Unintentional Discrimination

Unintentional discrimination occurs when hiring practices lead to significant differences in employment among different groups of people. Many states have laws prohibiting unintentional discrimination, though the requirements for behavior to be considered discriminatory may differ significantly from intentional discrimination laws. Common forms of unintentional discrimination include:

• Standardized tests, which may be more difficult for those with poorer language skills or those from different cultures
• Height or weight requirements, which may negatively affect women and some ethnic groups
• Employee referrals, which may limit the ability of minority groups to access jobs because of an inability to find a referral from within the company

It is important to remember that any of these behaviors may be considered legitimate if they are essential to the performance of job duties.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know has been the victim of employment discrimination, contact the Austin workplace discrimination lawyers of The Melton Law Firm, at 512-330-0017 today to learn more about your rights as a worker.