Nurses Continue to Experience Discrimination in the Workplace - When to Seek Legal Help

Nurses play an important role in delivering healthcare to patients. It is the nurse who tends to a patient first before seeing a doctor. It is the nurse who answers many of the questions for you and your loved ones. It is the nurse who assists a doctor in surgery or non-invasive procedures. Simply put, we need nurses to have a functioning healthcare system. Nurses must also be able to work in an environment free from discrimination, as they will not be able to do their jobs as best they can if they are constantly confronted with workplace discrimination.

Types of Discrimination Nurses Continue to Face 

Discrimination is widespread throughout society, but nurses tend to experience particular discrimination that may not be as prevalent in other professions. Many nurses have reported the following types of discrimination in the workplace:
• Race – Even though we have come a long way, racial discrimination is still a big problem. Many nurses do not receive pay raises or promotions due to their race. Many nurses are not receiving equal pay because of their race.
• Age - It is important to understand that The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits discrimination against people who are 40 years old or older.
• Gender – Many people are accustomed to seeing female nurses more so than male nurses. Both female and male nurses may experience discrimination based on their gender, but because there are more female nurses than male nurses, some male nurses experience discrimination for simply being a male nurse, taking the position that only females should be nurses.
• Sexual Orientation – While sexual orientation should never be an issue in the workplace, many nurses suffer from discrimination and harassment for having certain lifestyle choices that have absolutely nothing to do with their jobs as nurses, including marital or partnership status. It is illegal in New York to discriminate against a person in compensation, conditions or privileges of employment because of their marital status or because of a domestic partnership.
• Religious discrimination - Unfortunately, nurses have also reporting religious discrimination, which is when a person is being treated unfavorably because of his or her religious beliefs. The law protects not only people who belong to traditional, organized religions, but also others who have other sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs.
• Demeaning Behavior – In addition to being discriminated against for race, gender, and sexual and religious discrimination, nurses may generally be seen as submissive assistants who have no other purpose aside from following a doctor’s orders or instructions. This prevents or at least minimizes a nurse’s ability to have a leadership role in the workplace.

There are countless ways in which nurses may suffer from workplace discrimination. Acts of discrimination against nurses may be both isolated and systematic, meaning that discrimination can be widespread. Systemic discrimination against nurses has made it difficult for the profession to evolve. As such, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done to change the culture of nursing and to promote a healthy and safe workplace environment.

How an Attorney Can Help 

Workplace discrimination can make it very difficult for you to do the job you love. A lawyer can help with your employment law claim. If you or someone you know has suffered from any form of harassment or discrimination while on the job, do not hesitate to speak with a legal professional as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will be able to review your situation, determine if your rights have been violated, and provide you with the guidance you need to make an informed decision moving forward.