Discriminations are defined as unfair treatments of a person or group on the basis of prejudice. There can be many types of discriminations according to the distinctions they refer to:
sex discrimination;
racial discrimination;
social class discrimination;
age discrimination;
color discrimination;
ethnic discrimination;
religious discrimination etc.
Direct discrimination occurs when race, color, nationality, or ethnic or national origin is used as an explicit reason for discriminating. Indirect discrimination occurs when there are rules, regulations or procedures operating, which have the effect of discriminating against certain groups of people.
Discriminations are againts Human Rights and are forbidden by law.
With limited exceptions, the following actions constitute a violation the Human Rights Act:
-In Employment - when, because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, disability or age:
Employers refuse to hire, discharge, or discriminate with respect to benefits or conditions of employment;
Labor Organizations deny membership, fail to represent members, fail to refer for jobs, or otherwise treat members differently;
Employment Agencies reject job applications, fail or refuse to refer for employment, or comply with requests to screen or refer applicants on a discriminatory basis.
-In Housing and Real Property - when, because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability or familial status:
Owners or Agents refuse to sell or rent; use discriminatory advertising, applications or screening methods; or treat people differently in the terms or conditions of the sale or rental of property;
Realtors withhold available property or services, or attempt to induce a transaction by representing that the presence of certain other residents makes the environment undesirable;
Lenders deny or discriminate in the terms and conditions of financial assistance or related services.
- In Education - when, because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status with regard to public assistance or disability:
A public, private, or commercial educational institution fails to ensure physical and program access for persons who have disabilities;
An educational institution or its staff excludes, expels, or otherwise discriminates against a student or a person seeking enrollment etc.
