Gainful employment is fundamental to our financial security. Parents go to work to put their children through college. Newlywed couples work hard so that they can afford vacations, transport and even a new home. Young people enter the job market to build a brighter future.
A large portion of our time is spent in the workplace. In fact, some studies show that the average person spends approximately one-third of their life at work. While few jobs are perfect, you need to be relatively happy somewhere you spend so much of your time.
Workplace discrimination can spoil all of this. The impacts of workplace discrimination are far-reaching. Outlined below are some of the enduring health impacts of workplace discrimination.
The mental health of those on the receiving end
Work-related pressures can take it out of employees. However, the average staff member is able to cope with these. Nonetheless, if you throw discrimination into the mix, the stress can become too much to handle. There is now a large body of work that shows direct links between discrimination and mental health conditions such as depression.
Depression is a debilitating condition that can result in a person no longer being able to work. It’s also potentially life-threatening when left untreated, with thousands of Americans taking their own lives every year.
Protecting your rights
Both Federal law and state law in California protect workers from discrimination. You should not feel uncomfortable in the place you spend most of your time. If a situation at work has become unbearable, make sure you take a thorough note of your legal options.