Almost every endeavor where men are engaged in (this includes athletics, employment, politics, and academics), women also possess the skill to perform equally and succeed.

However, gender or sex discrimination has a very long history and until now, discrimination still exists, even in the workplace.

Although women are the ones that are usually discriminated because of gender, there are still some cases where men are being discriminated upon. Discrimination on the basis of gender is prohibited in a number of state and federal laws.

What is Gender Discrimination?

Gender discrimination is unequal and unfair handling based on a person's gender or sex.

The Law on Sexual Discrimination

The main federal law that prohibits sex discrimination is the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act protects individuals from discrimination on employment based on a person's sex. It also includes protection from employment discrimination based on color, religion, race, and national origin.

Title VII states that it is illegal to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on his/her gender regarding the following:

• Hiring

• Promotion

• Termination

• Job training

• Compensation

• Other terms and conditions of employment

Under the Title VII, it is unlawful for any employer to do any of the following:

1. Segregate, limit, or classify applicants or employees for employment in whatever way that would deny employment opportunities to any person or affect his/her status as an employee because of a person's gender

2. Refuse or fail to discharge or hire any person, or discriminate against any person in regards to his/her terms, compensation, or employment privileges because of a person's gender

Forms of sex-based discrimination that is also covered by Title VII:

• Sexual Harassment

• Pregnancy Based Discrimination

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Under Title VII, it is the responsibility of an employer who have 15 or more employees (this includes local and state governments)to maintain a workplace for employees that is free of any forms of sexual harassment.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted or undesirable sexual conduct or advance on the job that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive working environment. Any behavior of a sexual nature that makes an employee feel uncomfortable may already be considered as sexual harassment.

Some examples of sexual harassment in the workplace:

• A clerk makes humiliating comments to his coworkers about female customers

• A worker sends emails to his/her coworkers containing jokes and language that are sexually explicit

• A supervisor demands to a worker that he/she must sleep with the supervisor to keep a job

• A number of workers post on an office intranet bulletin board some jokes that are sexually explicit

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