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Management Difficulties With Discrimination Complaints

NCJ Number
162331
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 65 Issue: 2/3 Dated: (February/March 1996) Pages: 40-44
Author(s)
T M Fogle
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article addresses discrimination problems in the workplace and suggests how law enforcement managers should deal with them.
Abstract
Title 7 regulates and prohibits employment actions taken on account of a person's race, sex, color, religion, and national origin. Plaintiffs claiming discrimination must show that they are members of a protected group, are similarly situated to employees outside their group, and were treated differently than employees outside their group. Management must produce evidence negating plaintiffs' claims, evidence of a legitimate and nondiscriminatory reason for its actions. Open and honest communication will stop most problems before they start. Many complaints arise not out of problems with discrimination but out of personality conflicts and resulting breakdowns in communication. Management response to discrimination claims can be more effective when managers understand the fundamentals of discrimination law. Informed law enforcement managers can assist with the defense of any litigation. But, most important, they can prevent discrimination from occurring in the first place by ensuring the department implements fair policies and procedures that are followed consistently. Endnotes