chapter 3 New Book Diversity 2026

Age discrimination

treating an individual unfavorably because of their age, especially when the person is 40 or older

Associational discrimination

treating someone unfavorably because they are associated with or married to a person of a certain race, color, or national origin

Color discrimination

treating someone unfavorably because of their skin color

Constructive discharge

making working conditions so unbearable that an employee feels compelled to resign

Disability discrimination

treating a qualified individual unfavorably because of a physical or mental disability

Disparate impact

when an apparently neutral employment policy or practice has a negative effect on members of a protected class

Disparate treatment

treating an employee differently because of their membership in a protected class

Gender role socialization

the process by which social institutions create expectations about acceptable behaviors and jobs for men and women

Genetic information

information about a person's genetic tests, family medical history, or genetic conditions

Harassment

bothering, tormenting, troubling, or ridiculing a person because of a protected characteristic

Hostile environment harassment

unwelcome conduct that is severe or frequent enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment

Merit resolutions

EEOC cases resolved in favor of the person who filed the discrimination complaint

National origin discrimination

treating someone unfavorably because they come from a particular country or appear to have a certain ethnic background

No reasonable cause

an EEOC finding that there is not enough evidence to determine that discrimination occurred

Punitive damages

money awarded to punish an employer for intentional or especially serious discriminatory conduct

Quid pro quo harassment

harassment in which employment benefits or penalties are linked to accepting or rejecting unwelcome sexual conduct

Race discrimination

treating someone unfavorably because of their race or personal characteristics associated with race

Racial or ethnic harassment

threatening or exclusionary behavior directed at someone because of their race or ethnicity that creates a racially or ethnically biased work environment

Reasonable accommodation

changes made to allow a qualified person with a disability to perform a job

Religious discrimination

treating someone unfavorably because of their religious beliefs or because they lack religious beliefs

Retaliation

firing, demoting, harassing, or otherwise penalizing someone who complains about discrimination or participates in a discrimination proceeding

Sex discrimination

treating someone unfavorably because of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy

Sexual harassment

unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with employment or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment

Sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination

treating someone unfavorably because of their sexual orientation or gender identity

Undue hardship

an accommodation that would be too difficult or expensive for an employer considering its size, finances, and operational needs

Utilization analysis

comparing the number of qualified members of protected groups available in the labor market with their representation in an organization