Handling Discrimination in The Engineering Workplace
As engineering talent shortages increase and employees demand more respectful, empathetic employers, you may assume discrimination in the workplace would be diminishing.
While it’s true that many organisations are focusing more heavily on diversity, equity, and inclusion, workplace discrimination remains a persistent issue. More than a third of adults in the U.K. feel they’ve experienced discrimination at work. The issues aren’t just limited to gender or race either, but age, background, culture, and more.
Workplace discrimination is illegal in most parts of the world; it places employers at risk of significant fines and legal action. Unfortunately, this doesn’t prevent problems from happening. That’s why engineering employees need to know their rights.
Here’s your guide to dealing with discrimination in the workplace.
Step 1: Know Your Rights – Defining Discrimination
Discrimination isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, we overlook it completely. For instance, the HMRC found the gender pay gap increased by 2.9% in 2021, and many women still don’t feel comfortable requesting a raise. Understanding how to recognise discrimination is crucial to ensuring you can fight for your rights.
Remember, discrimination can include:
- Direct discrimination: When someone is treated less favourably than others based on a characteristic such as gender, sexual identity, race, or age.
- Indirect discrimination: Where rules are implemented in a engineering business intended for everyone, putting some people at a disadvantage. For instance, a rule that employees might have to travel worldwide at a moment’s notice would discriminate against people with health issues or young children.
- Harassment: Verbal or physical abuse towards a person based on protected characteristics like race or gender. This includes sexual harassment, as well as racial profiling.
- Victimisation: When someone is treated unfairly after complaining about evidence of discrimination. For instance, you might be denied a promotion because you reported being harassed by a coworker.
Step 2: Keep a Record of Incidents
Fighting back against engineering workplace discrimination is easier when you have evidence. Although collecting this can be difficult, particularly when discriminatory interactions are verbal, keeping a record of every incident is crucial.
At the very least, it’s worth keeping a journal or diary of everything that happens. Write down the statements said or what occurred and which people were responsible. Include dates and times when the incidents occurred and as much detail as possible.
If there were witnesses to the event, list their names and consider whether you can ask them to share insights on your behalf.
Step 3: Raise the Problem Informally
Often, it’s best to approach an issue of harassment or discrimination informally before you move on to further steps. Sometimes, your engineering managers or business leaders can address the problem for you, saving you a lot of time and stress.
Determine who you should approach about the issue. If you have an H.R. team that deals with workplace conflicts, making an appointment for a meeting would be the first logical step. If you believe your manager can help with the issue, approach them first.
Present your concern with the evidence you’ve collected. Discuss your needs with the other person, and ensure they know you’re prepared to take the issue further if necessary.
Step 4: Prepare to Raise the Problem Formally
If your H.R. team or manager can’t address the issue for you, or the solution they suggest doesn’t have the right results, you may need to be prepared to take extra steps. Speaking to a lawyer or attorney may be a good idea here, as they can provide direction on presenting your case.
An experienced employment lawyer should be able to help you navigate the courts and find the best way to reach a settlement with your employer. They’ll also assist with the more complex components of taking a discrimination case to the courts.
Step 5: Know What to Do Next
Remember, being treated poorly after you raise an issue with workplace discrimination is also its own form of discrimination and should not be permitted. If the issue is successfully rectified, you should be able to go back to your engineering role without facing any additional problems.
However, if you notice the attitude towards you has changed, or you’re being overlooked for promotions and opportunities, you may need to address the issue again.
If you feel uncomfortable in the workplace after the incident has been addressed, you might consider switching to a new job. Starting fresh could be a good way to ensure you can seek out the best company culture. If you want to move into a new role, consider working with a engineering recruitment company that can help you find the best opportunities.
Don’t Accept Discrimination
Raising issues in the workplace about discrimination or harassment can sound like a daunting prospect. Most of us prefer to avoid conflict whenever possible. However, it’s important to remember that you have the right to work in a engineering environment where you feel respected, appreciated, and comfortable.
You might even find that speaking up about discrimination helps inspire others in your workplace to walk the same path.
Though navigating a case of discrimination can be tricky, ensuring you can enjoy your career without fear is important.
All the best
Steve
At Coalesce we have been partnering with engineering talent for over 27 years; if you want to find out how we can help, call us on 07512 821708 or email us here.