Workplace discrimination is a situation that negatively impacts not only individuals but also the overall productivity and morale of a company. It undermines the principles of equality and fairness, creating an environment where certain employees feel marginalized and unable to perform at their best. While discrimination in brick-and-mortar workplaces is widely discussed and is often easily recognized, remote workers may experience discrimination in subtler ways that can sometimes go unnoticed. Signs to be mindful of in remote workplaces include the following. Hostile work environment Hostilit ..read more

Only about one in five of the people with a disability participate in the Rhode Island labor force. Among people without a disability, the work force participation rate is 67%. Employers are sometimes reluctant to hire disabled job applicants because they are worried that productivity will be negatively affected or that making the required reasonable accommodations for them would be expensive, but these opinions are not supported by data. If employers took time to learn the facts, they would find that most of the common reasons for not hiring disabled workers are based on myth. Improved produc ..read more

Age discrimination in the workplace is a serious concern that affects numerous employees across the United States, including those in Rhode Island. It is important for employees to recognize the signs and understand the legal protections in place, particularly if they believe they may be facing unfair treatment due to their age. Federal protections against age discrimination The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is a federal law that aims to protect employees and job applicants who are 40 years of age or older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, c ..read more

Most Rhode Island companies are not allowed to discriminate against workers based on their family status. However, as employers continue to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) programs to help with hiring or other employment decisions, it’s possible that companies will discriminate even if they don’t mean to. Ultimately, you could lose out on a job simply because you’re pregnant or have recently given birth. AI only makes objective decisions One of the key limitations of an AI program is that it isn’t good at subjective thinking. For example, let’s say an employer uses employment history as a f ..read more

Most Rhode Island employers are prohibited from making employment decisions based on an employee’s race, age or other protected characteristics. However, it can be difficult to prove that you were demoted, transferred or terminated based on one or more of those attributes. Fortunately, there are several pieces of evidence that you can use to bolster your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome. Digital communications can be powerful Text messages, emails or other digital conversations can serve as powerful proof that your manager engaged in discrimination. For instance, a text message may con ..read more

It’s been almost 50 years since Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to discriminate against anyone based on their race, color, sex, religion or national origin.  Therefore, it should no longer be an issue in any workplace in the United States. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality for many minorities in the workforce. Racism is still an issue; it just comes in more subtle forms. Recognizing the signs of racial discrimination is the first step toward addressing the problem. A genuine need for change Despite the progress that has been made over the years, approximately ..read more

Age discrimination in the workplace is a consequential issue that affects many employees. It’s essential to recognize and address this form of discrimination so that affected workers can seek justice and benefit from the inclusive environment that they deserve and are entitled to. At its most basic, age discrimination involves treating an individual unfavorably because of their age. This kind of mistreatment can occur in various forms, from hiring practices to who gets terminated in the event of a layoff. Across the U.S., age discrimination is prohibited in hiring and employment when a worker ..read more

Workplace discrimination based on religion is an issue that can show up in various ways and create a hostile environment for employees. It’s crucial to recognize the forms this type of discrimination can take to protect your rights and foster a more inclusive workplace for everyone.  Religious discrimination can be overt and subtle, from hiring practices to daily office interactions. As employees, understanding your rights and the law can equip you to deal with religious discrimination effectively.  Microaggressions are forbidden Microaggressions, such as offhand comments or jokes ab ..read more

You’ve recently taken a new job in Rhode Island. For the most part, things are going well, but you feel that your attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has started to interfere with some aspects of your work and are considering asking for workplace accommodations. How do you approach your employer? Reasons for accommodations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination at work if you have a disability. Even though ADHD is classified as a disability, you may not qualify for accommodations if it’s not affecting your job. Employees can request accommodations anytim ..read more

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder is a mental health condition that impacts the parts of the brain that help a person focus, maintain self-control and remain organized. With proper treatment, individuals with ADHD can manage their symptoms and live a full life. But the problem is that this condition doesn’t have a full cure. It’s common to have bouts of difficulty focusing and periods of procrastination, even with the best care. As a result, employers or even other employees might sometimes discriminate against people with ADHD when they notice their performance not being up to par. Fortu ..read more