
Examples of disparate treatment
- Failure to hire. Disparate treatment ranges from subtle to severe and can occur in any workplace. ...
- Conditions of employment. ...
- Termination. ...
- Value staff diversity. ...
- Open channels of trustworthy communication. ...
- Set clear personnel policies. ...
- Document employment, management and firing practices. ...
What does disparate treatment stand for?
Legal Definition of disparate treatment. : treatment of an individual (as an employee or prospective juror) that is less favorable than treatment of others for discriminatory reasons (as race, religion, national origin, sex, or disability) — compare bona fide occupational qualification, disparate impact.
Which of the following is an example of disparate treatment?
These include gender, age, religion, gender, sexual preference, and race. An example of disparate treatment would be along the lines of a well-qualified black employee with experience, skills, and positive reviews by his supervisor or manager who is repeatedly passed over when a promotion to a higher-level position within the company is available.
What does disparate treatment mean?
Disparate treatment, also known as adverse treatment, occurs when an employer treats an employee unfairly compared to other employees based on their personal characteristics, especially in regard to protected classes. Employees make disparate treatment claims when they believe that an employer has discriminated or retaliated against them.
What is comparative evidence of disparate treatment?
When using circumstantial evidence, the plaintiff must prove four basic elements:
- That the plaintiff is a member of a protected class (such as African American, pregnant, over age 40, etc.)
- That the plaintiff was qualified for the employment benefit in question
- That the plaintiff was denied the employment benefit in question

What constitutes disparate treatment?
Disparate treatment is a way to prove illegal employment discrimination. An employee who makes a disparate treatment claim alleges that he or she was treated differently than other employees who were similarly situated, and that the difference was based on a protected characteristic.
What is disparate impact example?
A common and simple example of “disparate impact” discrimination is when an employer has a policy that it will only hire individuals who are a certain minimum height or who can lift a certain minimum weight. Courts have found height restrictions disproportionately impact women and certain races.
Which of these is an example of disparate treatment in the workplace?
Examples of disparate treatment discriminatory practices in business include: Hiring on the basis of strength to favor male gender over female gender employees, even if there is no business necessity in the job for heavy lifting.
What is disparate treatment in human resources?
Disparate treatment, also known as adverse treatment, occurs when an employer treats an employee unfairly compared to other employees based on the person's personal characteristics, especially with regard to protected classes.
What is the difference between disparate impact and disparate treatment?
The difference between disparate impact and disparate treatment is that disparate treatment is intentional discrimination, while disparate impact is unintentional.
In which example is disparate treatment considered legal quizlet?
The courts have held that in some situations that a factor such as sex or race may be a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ), that is, a necessary (not merely preferred) qualification for performing a job. In this case disparate treatment is legal.
What is disparate treatment quizlet?
Disparate Treatment. A form of intentional discrimination in which an employee is hired, fired, denied a promotion, or the like, based on membership in a protected class (as listed in the CRA (Civil Rights Act), such as race, color, religion, sex, or national origin). This is a form of intentional discrimination.
What is disparate treatment and why should it be avoided?
Disparate treatment refers to intentional discrimination, where people in a protected class are deliberately treated differently. This is the most common type of discrimination. An example would be an employer giving a certain test to all of the women who apply for a job but to none of the men.
What is systemic disparate treatment?
Systemic disparate treatment theory, which requires proof of different. treatment within the defendant organization based on sex or race or other. protected characteristic, is distinct from systemic disparate impact theory, under which an employer is held liable for using an employment practice.
What is a disparate impact claim?
Disparate impact lawsuits claim that an employer's facially neutral practice had a discriminatory effect. By Lisa Guerin, J.D. Disparate impact is a way to prove employment discrimination based on the effect of an employment policy or practice rather than the intent behind it.
How can disparate treatment be prevented in the workplace?
The key to avoiding disparate discrimination is to treat all candidates equally. If you ask something of one candidate, make sure you ask the same of the others. Don't require pre-employment testing, proof of certifications or examples of experience from one candidate without asking it from all.
Can a company have different rules for different employees?
In short, employers may have different policies for different departments or job categories if those polices comply with existing federal and state laws. Employers must also balance business needs with employee morale issues differing policies may create.
What is disparate discrimination?
The EEO defines this type of discrimination as: “Inconsistent application of rules and policies to one group of people over another.” In 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court defined disparate treatment as discriminatory acts in which “ [t]he employer simply treats some people less favorably than others because of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” Proving disparate treatment often involves proving that the employer’s decision was motivated by the employee’s protected trait.
What is after acquired evidence?
After-acquired evidence is evidence of an employee’s wrongdoing or misconduct, gathered by the employer only after the employee’s discharge and claim of discrimination. Over the years, there has been some debate as to whether after-acquired evidence could prevent a plaintiff from winning his discrimination, or disparate treatment, lawsuit. In general, the courts have held that after-acquired evidence of misconduct unrelated to the grounds for termination can only prevent a plaintiff from being awarded reinstatement, injunctive relief, and front pay, if accepted at all.
What is disparate treatment?
Disparate treatment is a claim of discrimination in which an individual complains to have been treated differently than other people in a similar situation, but who don’t share the individual’s protected class. Disparate treatment is a common element of proving employment discrimination, but it occurs in other areas of life as well, ...
How can a person be treated differently?
There are two ways in which a person may be treated differently, or “disparately,” for purposes of discrimination actions: (1) disparate treatment, and (2) disparate impact. The difference between the two has to do with intent and effect.
Why was EEO enacted?
Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) laws were enacted to correct a pattern of unequal treatment of women and minorities. As the definition of protected class has expanded, it has become clear that everyone belongs to some protected class, and may be protected from discrimination by federal law.
What does "discriminatory treatment" mean?
Noun. Treatment of an individual that is less favorable than treatment of others, for a discriminatory purpose. Discriminatory treatment of an employee for reasons of his inclusion in a protected class.
What does discrimination mean in employment?
The term means that an employee was treated differently than other employees similarly situated, though in a legal sense, the different treatment must be based on the individual’s inclusion in a protected class. Discrimination is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution, and as such, the wronged person may take his case before the employment board, ...
What is disparate treatment?
Disparate treatment refers to rules and policies being applied inconsistently, in a discriminatory manner against someone of a protected class. For instance, it is considered disparate treatment for an employer to exclude a worker from an employment opportunity intentionally.
Is sexual orientation protected under federal law?
This act prohibits discrimination, including in the workplace, regardless of race, sex, national origin or religion. Sexual orientation is not yet protected under federal law but is protected in most states. Certain protected classes include minorities, immigrants and women.
Who are protected classes?
Certain protected classes include minorities, immigrants and women. Those who aren’t members of protected classes, such as men and those of the majority race, can claim in court to have experienced disparate treatment with sufficient evidence. Legal Disclaimer.
What is the other form of discrimination called?
If, in addition to disproportionate impact, there is also proof of intent or motive, this may actually be the other form of discrimination called disparate treatment .
What is disproportionate impact?
Disparate impact is a form of indirect and unintentional discrimination in which certain hiring, promotion or employment decisions disproportionately affect members of a protected group under Title VII. Disparate impact is also sometimes referred to as “adverse impact”.
What is separate pay scales?
For example, separate pay scales for men and women is a familiar form of disparate treatment. Unlike disparate impact, an affected individual must prove that the employer intentionally treated them differently due to their membership in a protected group.
How to prove a specific practice is causing an adverse impact on a group of protected individuals?
First, the affected employee (s) must prove that a specific practice is causing an adverse impact on a group of protected individuals. Second, the employer must demonstrate that the practice is a “business necessity” or job-related. Record all actions in case you need to defend your behavior later.
How is disparate impact measured?
Instead, disparate impact is measured using a mix of anecdotal evidence and statistical analysis.
What is disparate treatment?
Disparate treatment is an intentional form of discrimination. Often, decision-making processes (i.e., the systems in place for hiring, compensating or terminating employees) are singled out as being intentionally discriminatory. For example, separate pay scales for men and women is a familiar form of disparate treatment.
What are the two types of discrimination?
That’s why this guide is going to dive into the two real types of discrimination: 1 Disparate impact (unintentional and indirect) 2 Disparate treatment (intentional and direct)
What is prima facie case?
The Prima Facie Case. The type of evidence an employee has to present to prove a prima facie case of disparate treatment discrimination depends on the facts. If there is direct evidence of discrimination, that's enough. For example, if an employer hires only female bartenders or has said it will not promote African Americans to management ...
How to prove a disparate treatment claim?
To prove a disparate treatment claim, an employee must first present enough evidence to allow the judge or jury to infer that discrimination took place.
Why is an employee denied a promotion?
For instance, an employee is denied a promotion, and the employer claims that it was because the employee lacked an MBA. If the employee who was promoted also didn't have an MBA, the employer's decision looks suspect. Remarks by decision makers.
What is shifting justification?
Shifting justifications. If an employer gives different reasons at different times for its decision, that might be enough to prove pretext. For example, an employer tells an employee that her job is being eliminated in a company-wide restructuring, but then claims at trial that she was fired for poor performance.
What is disparate treatment?
Disparate treatment is a way to prove illegal employment discrimination. An employee who makes a disparate treatment claim alleges that he or she was treated differently than other employees who were similarly situated, and that the difference was based on a protected characteristic. In other words, the employee alleges ...
Why was Horacio fired?
The employer claims that he was fired because he received three customer complaints in the previous quarter. If Horacio can show that other employees who received three or more complaints in a quarter were not fired, and that those employees were not Latino, his argument looks better.
What is the pretext for discrimination?
Once the employer states a legitimate reason for the decision, the employee must prove that it's a pretext for discrimination. This doesn't mean the employee has to come up with absolute proof of an illegitimate motive. Instead, the employee has to present some evidence that calls the employer's stated reason into question and allows the jury to conclude that the employer was really motivated by discrimination. Here are some examples:
Disparate Treatment Definition
Disparate treatment is one of the theories of discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
Disparate Treatment vs. Disparate Impact
It’s important to highlight the difference between disparate treatment discrimination and disparate impact (commonly referred to as adverse impact ).
Disparate Treatment Example
To support a disparate treatment claim, an employee needs to establish four elements:
What Are the Five Protected Classes Under Title VII
According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a protected class is described as “ applicants, employees and former employees who are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history) ”..
How to Avoid Disparate Treatment
There are a number of practices you can foster to promote diversity and reduce unconscious bias in the workplace. This includes promoting equal opportunities for all and implementing a system for diversity management in the workplace. However, for real change to occur, you need to work on the culture of your organization.
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What are the two forms of discrimination in the workplace?
There are two forms of discrimination in the workplace: disparate treatment and disparate impact. An experienced California employment discrimination attorney can aid in analyzing evidence and building a case for the discrimination you’ve experienced.
How to substantiate disparate impact claim?
You can substantiate a disparate impact claim by proving that a policy has negative consequences for a particular class. For instance, suppose a company institutes a hiring policy requiring a strength test. A female applicant fails the strength test and is subsequently eliminated from the hiring process.
What is the Fair Employment and Housing Act?
In California, the Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits discrimination against a number of protected classes, including: Age (individuals over 40). California’s FEHA provides even more expansive protection for individuals against discrimination than federal laws.
What is an alternative effective employment policy?
An alternative effective employment policy or practice exists that would be non-discriminatory. There is a defense to a disparate impact claim: the employer must prove that a legitimate and non-discriminatory purpose exists for the contested policy or practice.
How to contact a discrimination lawyer in California?
For immediate assistance, please don’t hesitate to send our California employment discrimination attorneys an online message or call our firm at (818) 290-8904. As a victim of workplace discrimination, understanding the form of discrimination experienced is a crucial element of your legal claim. Contents hide.
What are the federal protections for discrimination?
There are federal protections that protect individuals from discrimination in the workplace. Your employer, or potential employer, has an obligation to prevent and address discrimination against employees. Multiple federal and state protections ensure that if discrimination occurs, victims may file a claim for this treatment.
What happens if a non white employee takes supplies home?
The next week, a non-white employee takes supplies home and is subsequently fired. The non-white employee may have a case for disparate treatment if there is history of the employer’s conduct of treating other employees differently.
How to be successful in a disparate treatment complaint?
In order to be successful in a disparate treatment complaint, the employee must show that he was treated differently because of his protected trait – age, gender, race, religion, sexual preference, and the like. In many cases this proves difficult, as the employer may see things very differently than the employee.
What is a disparate impact?
Disparate impact is a legal doctrine which declares that a policy can be considered discriminatory if it “adversely impacts” a group based on that group’s traits, such as its race, color, religion, or sex. This is especially true when there is no legitimate need for such a policy.
What is a protected class?
Protected Class – Groups of people protected from discrimination by law, including: race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex ( gender), sexual orientation, physical or mental disability.
When is disparate impact considered?
Typically, disparate impact is considered when a policy that is unintentionally discriminatory ...
Can a plaintiff win a case if the company did not pursue alternate practices?
However, the plaintiff may still win the case if he can prove that the company did not pursue alternate practices that could have satisfied the company’s needs, without having a disparate impact on the group in question.

What Is Disparate Treatment?
How Disparate Treatment Impacts A Business
- Employers who enable or allow examples of disparate treatment and otherdiscriminatory practices at their company aren’t just setting a morally negative example to others. They can also face costly legal, financial and cultural consequences. Employees may take action when a company violates their rights, resulting in possible fines, lawsuits and legal repercussions. Dispa…
Examples of Disparate Treatment
- Disparate treatment ranges from subtle to severe and can occur in any type of workplace. Here are the main types of disparate treatment claims with examples:
Disparate Treatment vs. Disparate Impact
- Disparate impact, also called adverse impact, is different from disparate treatment in that it specifically addresses situations where someone feels they have been disproportionately affected by a seemingly neutral employment policy. For example, if a company has a policy of conducting general meetings or other important staff activities that stretch past hours clearly defined by a h…
Definition of Disparate Treatment
What Is Disparate Treatment
Disparate Treatment vs. Disparate Impact
Proving A Disparate Treatment Complaint
Disparate Treatment Example in Firefighter Promotions
- In 2003, the New Haven Connecticut Fire Department needed to fill 15 management positions, having 7 openings for Captain, and 8 openings for Lieutenant. Like most civil service organizations, hiring is done by a “Rule of Three,” in which a civil service examination is given, after which the department chooses from the three highest-scoring applican...
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