Is Being Singled out at Work Discrimination?

Differential treatment based on "protected class," such as race, gender, religion or nationality, is where you get into legal trouble. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) describes disparate treatment – being singled out at the workplace because of your protected class – as illegal.

What is classed as unfair treatment at work?

What Constitutes Unfair Treatment? It is illegal to harass or discriminate against someone because of so-called "protected characteristics" such as age, disability, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, color, nationality and sex.

Is singling out an employee considered harassment?

For example, a manager singling out one employee for regular criticism, hostility, or unfavorable treatment may constitute improper harassment if this treatment is secretly motivated by bias against a legally protected demographic characteristic of the employee.