How does the EEOC define "employment discrimination"?

The EEOC defines "employment discrimination" as unequal treatment based on protected characteristics. This definition is crucial because it establishes that discrimination occurs not just in overtly unfair practices but also in subtler forms that can adversely affect individuals because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. This understanding serves as the foundation for creating workplaces that uphold equal opportunity and encourages the fair treatment of all employees.

Recognizing discrimination as unequal treatment emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic issues and ensuring that all individuals receive equitable opportunities in the workplace. It aligns with the broader aim of the EEOC to eliminate barriers and support the principle of equal employment.

Options that suggest equal treatment of all employees or refer to employee dissatisfaction or harassment do not encapsulate the specific legal criteria for employment discrimination as defined by the EEOC. Discrimination is fundamentally about how decisions are made regarding individuals in the workplace based on their protected characteristics rather than the general treatment of all employees.