Workplace Discrimination

In today's culturally diverse, politically correct, workplace environment, it appears as if no one other than white males are immune to discrimination. Lawsuits against employers alleging discrimination have been filed from all of the following: gays and lesbians; women; the aged; the pregnant; the handicapped; blacks and other minorities; the obese; parents. Effects on employees consist of things such as embarrassment, humiliation, physical and emotional abuse, loss of work and pay, and a variety of other deleterious effects. For employers, there is a need for discrimination liability insurance, the need to protect public image, the institution of anti-discrimination policy, the sponsoring of anti-discrimination and cultural diversity seminars, and a host of other effects. However, more so than on employees, the financial effects on employers can be devastating when employees alleging discrimination take those allegations to court:

Snowballing legal costs. Legal expenses have risen 30 percent in the past five years.

Time lost in court. A clogged judicial system wastes management time and produces victims among winners and losers alike.

Unfavorable publicity. No company wants to be labeled as having a �systematic culture of sexual abuse and discrimination.'

While employees and employers alike suffer deleterious effects from workplace discrimination, it is often the employer who suffe

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ten the EEOC, after looking into allegations of discrimination is able to form a settlement between the employer and the employee. However, experts warn those who allege discrimination to think twice about filing a lawsuit, but they do insist they at least file a complain with the EEOC: Workers who think they are victims of job discrimination should realize at the outset that seeking redress can be time-consuming and costly, and that a successful outcome is far from certain. If workers are unable to negotiate settlements with their employers, the next step is to file a formal complain with the Equal Opportunity Commission. This launches a commission investigation and an attempt to resolve the matter. More important, notifying the EEOC preserves the complainant's right to file a lawsuit later. (Worsnop 1) The effects of discrimination lawsuits can be crippling to a company in terms of public opinion, the loss of time, and enormous financial losses. One of the reasons for this is another change in strategy designed to help employees who file lawsuits alleging discrimination. The EEOC has reverted back to its policy of filing class-action suits against firms where groups of employees are represented instead of single-work

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