What Are the Most Common Types of Workplace Discrimination?

     Human resources are one of the factors that influence the company in improving performance. In Indonesia, high unemployment rate is still a problem in the workforce sector. However, many companies still discriminate their employees. Discrimination usually begins during the recruitment process.  

     There are four types of discrimination that are common in the workplace, including: 

1. Gender 

     Gender discrimination often occurs in all industrial sectors. The gender discrimination commonly occurred is the inequality of salaries between male and female workers. Unequal opportunity in career development also happens frequently. In this case, women are often affected. Sometimes women’s ability is doubted to occupy certain positions.

     An example of this kind of discrimination occurred in China. In the job advertisements on various social media published between 2013-2018, one of the requirements is to prioritize male applicants. Meanwhile, large companies such as Alibaba have published recruitment advertisements that prioritize "beautiful woman" applicants as a recruitment requirement. Besides, height, weight, voice and appearance are also requirements for female applicants. This is extremely unfortunate as it has no relevance to assignments.

2. Ethnicity or race, and religion 

     Ethnicity or race and religion discrimination also often occurs in the workplace. As a country with Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (“Unity in diversity” in English) motto, we still reluctant in accepting the existing diverse human background and physical appearances. 

     Ethnicity or race and religion discrimination also occurred several times during the recruitment process. This has happened to MNC Sky Vision in Surabaya and Balquisse Heritage Hotel in Badung. In a published job advertisement, there is one requirement that causes a surprising reaction from the public. MNC Sky Vision, owned by Hary Tanoesudibjo’s family, described the job requirements by prioritising non-Muslim candidates. Meanwhile, Balquisse Heritage Hotel and some hotels in Bali prioritize non-Hindu candidates as job requirements.

3. Ageism

     Ageism is stereotype or discrimination based on age. Until now, over 40 years are considered stubborn, arrogant, reluctant to learn new things, and difficult to adapting. On the other hand, stereotypes and perceptions towards younger workers are their lack of skills and experiences. Many people still tend to view other individuals subjectively.

     Ageism has again become a meaningful discourse in the workplace. Ageism often occurs during the recruitment process. An example is Bob Crum (then 65 years old), who had 40 years’ experience working in Silicon Valley. In 2017, he became a jobseeker after his previous contract ended. His effort in finding a job was worthless as companies he applied to prioritise younger candidates.

4. Disability disorder

     Recently, people with disabilities still have difficulty in getting a job. According to Tempo (2018), only 1% of people with disabilities in Indonesia work in the formal sector. Discrimination against workers with disabilities can occur because other workers do not know how to behave favourably to colleagues with disabilities. 

     Romi Syofpa Ismael, a dentist who is one of the candidates for civil servants, has miserable experienced. She was the candidate with the best score and got the first rank. However, she almost failed as a civil servant for her disability. Wuri Handayani, a graduate of Airlangga University and a disabled wheelchair user, also experienced something similar to Romi Syofpa.

     The phenomenon above shows that several companies still discriminate their workers or candidates. Essentially, every individual has equal right to work free of discrimination – as stipulated by the Law No. 13 of 2003 article 5 and 6 concerning the workforce. Currently, equal employment opportunity is being heavily campaigned. It aims to ensure that whoever is, regardless of gender, race, skin colour, physical fitness, religion, age, etc., has the same opportunity based on their qualifications.