What is considered unfair discrimination?

Asked by: Tyson Prohaska  |  Last update: February 15, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (11 votes)

Unfair discrimination is treating someone differently and worse because of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, transgender status), national origin, age (40+), disability, or genetic information, leading to denial of opportunities, harassment, or unequal terms in areas like jobs, housing, or insurance, and undermining human dignity by making decisions based on who you are, not your merits. It involves prejudice or bias that denies fundamental rights or creates hostile environments, violating laws like Title VII or the ADA.

What are three examples of unfair discrimination?

Examples of Employment Discrimination

  • Failure to hire.
  • Harassment.
  • Quid pro quo: Conditioning employment or promotion on sexual favors.
  • Hostile Work Environment: Continuous actions and comments based on protected characteristics that create an uncomfortable and hostile workplace.
  • Job assignment.
  • Compensation.

What constitutes unfair discrimination?

Unfair discrimination occurs when an employer shows favour, prejudice or bias for or against a person on a prohibited ground, including a person's race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, family responsibility, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, HIV status, conscience, ...

How do you prove unfair discrimination at work?

To prove workplace discrimination, you need strong evidence showing you were treated unfairly due to a protected characteristic (race, gender, age, disability, etc.), often by documenting disparate treatment compared to others, gathering direct evidence like biased emails or comments, and filing a formal charge with the EEOC. Key steps involve documenting everything meticulously, finding witnesses, and showing a pattern or "smoking gun" evidence that the employer's reasons for adverse actions are a pretext for discrimination. 

What are the 9 grounds for discrimination?

Equal Status

  • 'the gender ground'
  • 'the civil status ground' (formerly marital status)
  • 'the family status ground'
  • 'the sexual orientation ground'
  • 'the religion ground'
  • 'the age ground'
  • 'the disability ground'
  • 'the ground of race' (includes 'race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins')

What is an example of unfair discrimination?

32 related questions found

What are the 7 types of discrimination?

While there isn't a universal "7 types" list, discrimination is broadly categorized by the protected characteristics people are unfairly treated for, commonly including Race/Color, Religion, Sex (Gender, Pregnancy, LGBTQ+ status), National Origin, Age, Disability, and Genetic Information, with variations like harassment, retaliation, and familial status also recognized, all stemming from treating someone differently based on these inherent traits.
 

What are the 5 fair reasons for dismissal under the employment Rights Act?

There are five potentially fair reasons for dismissal under the ERA: capability or qualifications, conduct, redundancy, breach of a statutory duty or restriction and “some other substantial reason” (SOSR).

How hard is it to win a discrimination case?

The Harvard Law and Policy Review published an article in 2009 which found that employees only win discrimination cases against their employers 15% of the time. Luckily, public awareness of the need for consequences increases your odds of finding justice.

What is the 3 part test for discrimination?

To prove discrimination, a complainant has to prove that: they have a characteristic protected by the Human Rights Code [Code]; they experienced an adverse impact with respect to an area protected by the Code; and. the protected characteristic was a factor in the adverse impact.

What is the 80% rule in discrimination?

The 80% Rule, or Four-Fifths Rule, is an EEOC guideline to spot potential hiring discrimination: if a protected group (like a race, sex, or ethnic group) is selected at less than 80% the rate of the most favored group, it suggests "adverse impact," requiring the employer to justify the practice as job-related and necessary. It's a statistical tool, not definitive proof, indicating when further investigation into disparate impact is warranted in employment decisions.
 

What is unfair treatment at work?

Unfair treatment at work is when employees are treated differently or unfavorably than others for reasons unrelated to job performance, often involving discrimination (race, gender, age, disability, etc.), harassment, bullying, unequal opportunities, unfair policies, or retaliation, which negatively impacts their experience, opportunities, or wellbeing, and can range from illegal discrimination to more subtle forms like favoritism or micromanagement. While some forms (like discrimination) are illegal, others (like low-impact bullying) are harder to address legally but still damaging. 

What are 5 examples of discrimination?

Five examples of discrimination include racial discrimination (not hiring someone due to race), gender discrimination (paying a woman less for the same job as a man), disability discrimination (denying service because someone uses a wheelchair), age discrimination (forcing older employees out), and religious discrimination (ridiculing someone for wearing a headscarf). These examples show unfair treatment in hiring, pay, services, or general environment based on protected characteristics like race, sex, age, disability, or religion.
 

How to win a discrimination case?

Here are some tips for winning your discrimination lawsuit:

  1. Talk to the Offender Before You Move Forward with the Case. If you go straight to a lawyer with your case, this will probably backfire once it goes to court. ...
  2. File a Formal Complaint with Your Company. ...
  3. File an Administrative Charge. ...
  4. Hire a Lawyer.

What is the most common discrimination claim?

The single most common form of direct discrimination is disability discrimination. More than 24,000 workers brought successful claims about employers mistreating them or denying them disability accommodations in 2020. 36.1% of all discrimination claims involve disability discrimination.

What to do when you feel discriminated at work?

If you face workplace discrimination, first document everything, then report it internally (HR, supervisor) following company policy, and if unresolved, file a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (or a state agency), remembering there are strict time limits. Consulting an employment lawyer for guidance on gathering evidence and navigating external complaints is a crucial next step. 

What are unfair practices in the workplace?

Examples of unfair labor practices in the workplace include denying benefits or promotions to specific employees, discriminating against older workers, unequal pay, and many others. Discrimination is not only morally wrong; it is also illegal. You do not have to accept unfair labor practices at your job.

What evidence do you need to prove discrimination?

To prove discrimination, you generally need to show you belong to a protected class, were qualified for your job, suffered an adverse action (like firing, demotion, or unequal pay), and that there's a causal link between your protected status and the employer's action, often by showing similarly situated colleagues outside your class were treated better or by using evidence like biased comments, suspicious timing, or inconsistent policies. Evidence can be direct (a "smoking gun" email) or circumstantial (patterns of behavior), with comparative evidence (comparing your treatment to others) being very common. 

What are the 17 protected grounds?

"17 protected grounds" likely refers to the specific personal characteristics protected from discrimination under laws like the Ontario Human Rights Code, which bans discrimination in areas like employment and housing based on 17 grounds, including race, sex, disability, age, religion, family status, and sexual orientation, though exact lists vary by jurisdiction and law (e.g., US federal law focuses on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic info). 

What are the 14 types of discrimination?

The 14 prohibited grounds for discrimination or harassment

  • Race. ...
  • It's the color of your skin.
  • It is for example the fact of being a woman or a man. ...
  • Gender identity or gender expression. ...
  • It's the fact of being pregnant and having a baby. ...
  • It is the emotional or sexual attraction to someone. ...
  • It's your family status.

How do you prove unfairness at work?

To prove unfair treatment at work, you must meticulously document every incident (dates, times, people, details), gather evidence like emails, texts, performance reviews, and witness statements, review and compare company policies, and consider filing complaints with HR or the EEOC, noting that comparator evidence (how others were treated) is key, often requiring legal counsel to build a strong case. 

What makes you look better in court?

Dress Neatly and Make Sure Your Clothes Fit

The first rule of thumb for what to wear to court is to dress appropriately by choosing clothing that looks clean, neat, and fits you well. You do not have to buy a new outfit, just be sure that you are meeting those two criteria with what you choose.

What is the average settlement for a discrimination case?

The average discrimination settlement is around $40,000, according to the EEOC, but amounts vary significantly, often ranging from $40,000 to $70,000 or higher depending on factors like jurisdiction, severity of harm, evidence strength, and type of discrimination (race, gender, age, disability). While many cases settle in the tens of thousands, severe cases with documented harm can reach six or seven figures, with some settlements exceeding $1 million.
 

On what grounds can you be dismissed?

You can dismiss an employee if: they're incapable of doing their job to the required standard. they're capable, but unwilling to do their job properly. they've committed some form of misconduct.

What is an untenable situation at work?

In the workplace, "untenable" describes a situation, position, argument, or condition that is unsustainable, indefensible, or impossible to maintain, often forcing a person to leave or a policy to change, like an "untenable position" due to bullying or a policy that can't be justified against criticism. It signifies a situation that is no longer workable, reasonable, or supportable, making it difficult or impossible for someone to continue. 

What are 5 automatically unfair dismissals?

Automatically unfair reasons for dismissal

family, including parental leave, paternity leave (birth and adoption), adoption leave or time off for dependants. acting as an employee representative. acting as a trade union representative. acting as an occupational pension scheme trustee.