What does "disparate treatment" refer to?

Disparate treatment refers to the inconsistent application of rules or policies to different groups, often resulting in unfair treatment based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, or age. This legal concept is rooted in anti-discrimination laws, which aim to ensure that all individuals receive equal treatment in the workplace.

The essence of disparate treatment is that it occurs when similarly situated individuals are treated differently based solely on a characteristic that is protected under the law. This might manifest in various forms, such as promoting one group over another despite equal qualifications or implementing stricter rules for one demographic than for another.

The other options do not accurately represent the concept. Equal application of rules to all employees does not align with disparate treatment; rather, it represents fairness and equity in treatment. Unfair treatment based on subjective criteria could occur without necessarily involving protected characteristics or groups, making it a broader concept of unfairness rather than a specific legal term. Disagreeing with management decisions lacks relevance to the concept of disparate treatment, as it does not address the issue of fairness or equality in employment practices.