According to the Cambridge Dictionary, employment discrimination is
"a situation in which employees are treated unfairly because of their race, sex, age (40yrs+), religion, physical or health problems, etc." |
The People's Law Library of Maryland states that housing discrimination is when
"an individual or family is treated unequally when trying to buy, rent, lease, sell or finance a home based on certain characteristics, such as race, class, sex, religion, national origin, and familial status" |
So what makes Housing and Employment Discrimination so immoral?
It's the fact that individuals, or even mass numbers of groups, are being judged in the work field based on their appearance rather than their job skills, communication skills, work experience and credibility of the job position. Likewise, housing wouldn't be given to those who desperately need it due to the nature of the color of their skin, the religion they practice, or whatever identifies the individual. All of this only leads to segregation in offices and communities, which is exactly what America has been trying avoiding for the past 50 years, which can also It can also leave many homeless or unemployed. Discrimination alone is a prejudice and selfish act, but applying this thought to corporate/residential America is bluntly immoral.
"San Francisco Firefighters Awarded $3.7M In Age Discrimination Suit"
On October 29, 2013, fifteen San Francisco firefighters won 3.7 million dollars in an age discrimination lawsuit against the city's fire department. According to sources, the firefighters, which were all over the age of 40, were denied of a promotion that was instead given to younger, less experienced firefighters.
On October 29, 2013, fifteen San Francisco firefighters won 3.7 million dollars in an age discrimination lawsuit against the city's fire department. According to sources, the firefighters, which were all over the age of 40, were denied of a promotion that was instead given to younger, less experienced firefighters.
"Gay Teacher Fired From Catholic School Shortly After Marriage Ceremony"
In July 2010, former all-girls Catholic teacher in Southern California, Ken Bencomo, was fired from his job shortly after his wedding was published in the city's newspaper. Assistant Principle Sister Helen Dziuk explained that his lifestyle went against the school's teachings, and that he had to be terminated from the school campus. Based on that allegation, the school's only reason to fire Bencomo was simply because he was gay. This caused such an immidiate uproar in mainstream media, that this lead to petition made to re-hire Bencomo, and even the Catholic girls and teachers where he taught at arranged a march on his behalf to regain justice.
In July 2010, former all-girls Catholic teacher in Southern California, Ken Bencomo, was fired from his job shortly after his wedding was published in the city's newspaper. Assistant Principle Sister Helen Dziuk explained that his lifestyle went against the school's teachings, and that he had to be terminated from the school campus. Based on that allegation, the school's only reason to fire Bencomo was simply because he was gay. This caused such an immidiate uproar in mainstream media, that this lead to petition made to re-hire Bencomo, and even the Catholic girls and teachers where he taught at arranged a march on his behalf to regain justice.
"Abercrombie Settles Cases Alleging Muslim Headscarf Discrimination"
In 2013, two Bay Area Muslim women sued the retail store, Abercrombie & Fitch, for employment discrimination, and both for the same reason: for wearing a hijab, an Islamic religous headscarf. One of the women denied a job in 2008 for showing up to the store in the Great Mall in Milpitas in the headscarf, the other was fired in 2010 for wearing her hijab when she used to work at Abercrombie store in the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo.
In 2013, two Bay Area Muslim women sued the retail store, Abercrombie & Fitch, for employment discrimination, and both for the same reason: for wearing a hijab, an Islamic religous headscarf. One of the women denied a job in 2008 for showing up to the store in the Great Mall in Milpitas in the headscarf, the other was fired in 2010 for wearing her hijab when she used to work at Abercrombie store in the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo.
“We hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people, and we want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don't market to anyone other than that.”
-Mike Jeffries, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO
A Bay Area employee shares a personal experience dealing with employment discrimination, and how she addressed the issue.
"The Human Faces of Housing Discrimination"
Linda Gagne was looking for an apartment with her husband, Alred, in the San Jose area. After viewing a promising apartment listing, they made an appointment with the manager. The moment the manager saw their dog, the manager strictly made it clear that there was a no pet policy. However, Linda was blind. Wyoming was her guide dog. The manager still denied their application. The Gagnes filed a federal complaint and won a settlement from the building owner.
Linda Gagne was looking for an apartment with her husband, Alred, in the San Jose area. After viewing a promising apartment listing, they made an appointment with the manager. The moment the manager saw their dog, the manager strictly made it clear that there was a no pet policy. However, Linda was blind. Wyoming was her guide dog. The manager still denied their application. The Gagnes filed a federal complaint and won a settlement from the building owner.
"Palmdale settles suit alleging Section 8 housing discrimination"
The city of Palmdale (north of Los Angeles) was sued by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 2011 for allegedly using "housing investigators, who are partially funded by Los Angeles County, and sheriff's deputies in a campaign to drive primarily black residents from government-subsidized housing," or in other words, section 8 housing. Section 8 housing is a federal program that provides housing for the homeless, elderly and disabled who are in need of financial assistance. It also helps less fortunate families that have trouble keeping up with rent. The city agreed to settle the case, but denied against the charges. Catherine Lhamon, director of impact litigation at Public Counsel, the public-interest law firm representing plaintiffs, said the case was "unequivocal recognition that their actions had violated [Section 8] families' civil rights." Hiring housing investigators to spy and keep African Americans out of projects was definitely against the Section 8 policies and compliance. Then, blaming it on the people who funded the wrong doing and denying all of these charges, but still agreeing to settle the lawsuit definitely left the city of Palmdale with an irresponsible and discriminating look.
The city of Palmdale (north of Los Angeles) was sued by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 2011 for allegedly using "housing investigators, who are partially funded by Los Angeles County, and sheriff's deputies in a campaign to drive primarily black residents from government-subsidized housing," or in other words, section 8 housing. Section 8 housing is a federal program that provides housing for the homeless, elderly and disabled who are in need of financial assistance. It also helps less fortunate families that have trouble keeping up with rent. The city agreed to settle the case, but denied against the charges. Catherine Lhamon, director of impact litigation at Public Counsel, the public-interest law firm representing plaintiffs, said the case was "unequivocal recognition that their actions had violated [Section 8] families' civil rights." Hiring housing investigators to spy and keep African Americans out of projects was definitely against the Section 8 policies and compliance. Then, blaming it on the people who funded the wrong doing and denying all of these charges, but still agreeing to settle the lawsuit definitely left the city of Palmdale with an irresponsible and discriminating look.
"Federal study finds gay couples face rental discrimination"
In June, 2013, a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed that "same-sex couples received fewer responses from rental agents than heterosexual couples when responding to online advertisements." Furthermore, gay couples have more trouble finding a home than lesbians, according to the research. The study found that straight couples are much preferred by managers by nearly 16% over gay and lesbian couples, and this trend was found in all markets tested.
In June, 2013, a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed that "same-sex couples received fewer responses from rental agents than heterosexual couples when responding to online advertisements." Furthermore, gay couples have more trouble finding a home than lesbians, according to the research. The study found that straight couples are much preferred by managers by nearly 16% over gay and lesbian couples, and this trend was found in all markets tested.
A Mountain View on-site apartment/residential manager explained the responsibilities of being a manager and applying oneself to the California Housing Codes, which prohibits discrimination of any kind in the housing system. She goes on to tell her own stories of discrimination looking for residential homes, and even as an apartment manager. She explains how important it is to give the appropriate housing to those who can afford it, and that majority of the times, that is why manager's prejudge those who look for homes. As an apartment manager, she understands how important it is to find the right home for the right family, and that discrimination only impedes on this, not only Bay Area, but national goal.