Discrimination in the Workplace - Essay Example

It is the mutual responsibility of employers and employees to take effective measures to stop workplace discrimination. Let us consider the case of Holmes, Helm and Partners, Inc. and discuss some of the most effective ways through which the HR manager of a company can avoid workplace discrimination Awareness about Discrimination Employees need to know that hiring decisions based on some protected class characteristics and dismissing employees based on his/her race or gender are legally defined as workplace discrimination and the employees have the right to raise their voice against such cases.

In our case, Jessica Farrago, who was one of the two newly appointed creative supervisors, was being discriminated by Marc Corrigan as she was receiving no input or feedback from him on the work she was doing. That is the reason why she wanted to raise her voice in front of the president of the HHP. Protected Class Characteristics Another way to avoid workplace discrimination is by knowing that anti-discrimination laws cover protected classes. Employees need to know what protected classes actually are.

“A protected class is a group of people against whom it is illegal to discriminate based on a common characteristic” (Ehow, n.d.). . Similarly, Marc Corrigan did not like to hire Heather Stubbs and Oscar Rosenberg because of age and disability issues. These kinds of thoughts must be avoided while taking any key decision in order to prevent discrimination at the workplace. Zero Tolerance Policy If some employees belonging to any specific gender verbally and physically harass the opposite gender and the higher authority does not take any action against the offenders.

This is a form of sex-based discrimination, which creates tension and nervousness for the victim of discrimination. To avoid such kinds of discrimination, managers need to implement zero tolerance policy and should make every employee read the guidelines of the policy on the first day of their jobs in order o avoid discrimination practice at the workplace. “If employees are made aware of the forms and effects of discrimination in the workplace it will act to discourage the practice” (McLellan, 2011).

If any employee is found violating the anti-discrimination laws of the company, he/she should be dismissed immediately to maintain a good working atmosphere in the company. For example, in our case, when Jessica reported to higher authorities the incidents of verbal sexual harassment by Harvey and Andrew, Marc Corrigan supported the offenders instead of taking disciplinary action against them. Mr. Corrigan declared Jessica’s allegations completely absurd and did not take any action against Harvey and Andrew.

In such cases, incidents of discrimination and harassment prevail putting a negative impact on the company. Complaint Procedure Another step, which the management of a company must take, is to establish a proper