Race, Disability and Age

Chapter 17 of Human Resource Management in a Business Context (2nd Edition) by Alan Price - published by Thomson Learning

Contents

Objectives

The purpose of this chapter is to:
- Evaluate the causes and extent of racial discrimination in the employment market.
- Analyze the basis and effects of institutional racism.
- Assess the effectiveness of legislation in the reduction of disability discrimination.
- Consider the increasing significance of anti-age discrimination initiatives.

Ethnic diversity

The financial impact of race discrimination

Race and performance

Institutional racism

The Parekh Report

Race and ethnicity legislation

Disability

Ageism

Ageism legislation

Summary

This chapter focused on three areas of workplace discrimination: race, disability and age. We observed that all societies appear to favour certain groups more than others and that most developed societies have attempted to combat prejudice, favouritism and discrimination by introducing relevant laws. Each of the forms of discrimination that we have covered have complex causes which are not easily countered by legislation.

Further reading

Much of the available material on race discrimination at work is to be found in more general books on racism and ethnicity. Stereotypes and Prejudice edited by Charles Stangor (published by Psychology Press, 2000) is a collection of readings on stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination. Theories of Race and Racism edited by John Solomos and Les Back (published by Routledge, 1999) another collection of readings. Responding to Racism in Ireland edited by Fintan Farrell and Philip Watt (published by Veritas Publications, 2001), and Race, Colour and Identity in Australia and New Zealand edited by John Docker and Gerhard Fischer (UNSW Press, 2000) concentrate on those specific countries. Discrimination and Human Rights by Sandra Fredman (Oxford University Press, 2001) focuses on the role of human rights law in combating race discrimination. For Ageism issues see: Age Discrimination in the American Workplace: Old at a Young Age by Raymond F. Gregory (published by Rutgers University Press, 2001); Older People and Work by Ali Taqi (International Labour Organisation, 2003); and Age Discrimination by Employers written by Kerry Segrave (McFarland & Company, 2001). Texts on disability issues include Disability Discrimination by Andrew Hogan (published by EMIS Professional Publishing, 2001 in the UK) and Employment, Disability, and the Americans With Disabilities Act: Issues in Law, Public Policy, and Research (Psychosocial Issues) edited by Peter David Blanck (published by Northwestern University Press, 2000).

Review questions

Problem for discussion and analysis - the Black Workers' Support Group

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