Workplace Issues

Recognizing Workplace Discrimination

Sexual Harassment

Hostile Environment A hostile environment consists of unwelcome sexual behavior, such as "jokes", cartoons, posters, banter, repeated requests for dates, requests for sexual favors, references to body parts, or physical touching that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Isolated acts that are not severe will not rise to the level of a hostile environment.

Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment Another type of sexual harassment is called "quid pro quo" harassment. It means that you are asked to perform sexual acts in return for a job benefit. For example, you will pass probation, get a promotion, get a good performance evaluation, not be written up for doing something wrong, etc, if you will engage in some type of sexual behavior.

Gender Harassment The courts also recognize that behavior that is not based on sexual behavior, but is based on gender is also unlawful harassment. Typical examples would be comments such as "women are not brave enough to be police officers," "women should stay home and have babies and leave policing to real men", etc. These are all comments that demean women.

Gender Discrimination

Gender discrimination occurs when you are subjected to unequal treatment in the workplace on the basis of your gender. These are a few examples of the types of things that may constitute gender discrimination:

• Women are assigned to jobs such as child abuse, juveniles, sex crimes, domestic violence, school programs and other "traditionally women's jobs" and are prevented from being assigned to SWAT teams, gang units, undercover work, narcotics, homicide and other "traditionally men's jobs." These assignments are based on stereotypes of what types of work women are good at.
• Tests for promotions or other job opportunities that are not job related or represent a small part of the job duties that result in women not getting promoted at the same rate that men are promoted. For example, there is a test for detective that requires applicants to run 1.5 miles in ten minutes. 100 people take the test, 50 men and 50 women; 40 men pass and 2 women pass.
• Women receive more severe discipline than men do for similar misconduct. Or, women are disciplined for things for which men are not even investigated.
• Women are held to a higher or different level of performance on performance evaluations.
• Women are not given equal consideration for specialized training, conferences, specialty job assignments, etc.
• Pregnant women are not given light duty, but men who are injured off-duty are given these assignments.

  Pregnancy & Gender Discrimination One of the most frequent questions we receive at the National Center for Women & Policing is from women officers who are pregnant and trying to find out what other agencies are doing on issues of pregnant officers.

Race Discrimination or Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Federal law also covers race discrimination, and it uses standards similar to those of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. Federal law does not prohibit sexual orientation discrimination; however, laws in your state or city may. Federal workers are protected by additional laws that have been interpreted to prohibit sexual orientation discrimination.

What you can do if you've been discriminated against >>

Workplace Issues | Recognizing Harassment | What You Can Do