What is discrimination?

The literal meaning of discrimination is “making a distinction.” Discrimination occurs when people are treated unequally or disadvantaged based on characteristics that are not relevant in a given situation. This distinction is often made on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, nationality, or religion.

Discrimination also occurs in the workplace in many different forms. For example, when colleagues in the same position receive different salaries, or when colleagues make offensive jokes based on the characteristics mentioned above. Discrimination in the workplace may be a deliberate and conscious choice by the person discriminating, but it can also be unintentional when someone is unaware that their behaviour is based on prejudice.

The consequences of discrimination at work can be significant. It may lead to loneliness, stress, and a reduced sense of self-worth. Research by Nationale Vacaturebank in 2022 shows that nearly one in six people in the Netherlands experience discrimination at work.