Workplace discrimination ???

[badger6]

OK, without giving away too much info up front. I want to get some opinions on a situation where I am employed. At the company where I work, all of the employees have the same title and have the same pay scale, with exception of management. On a daily basis the females and older males are instructed and allowed to do very easy work duties and the younger males are made to do the more difficult physical jobs. To me it seems like a form of discrimination. Some of the male employees agree with me but won't speak up on the topic. Some other male employees disagree with me and think that women shouldn't have to do physically hard work or something. I have said something a few times to management and yet the problem still exists. Keep in mind that on a consistent basis, management and company itself deems all hourly employees "the same" and that everyone should perform every job duty in the facility.  Any opinions ??

[Cathal]

If there's a lot of heavy lifting I would always think the younger guys would be the prime people doing the work, it only makes sense. How big is the company? If, as you say, it is in their job description to do everything that you are supposed to do, and they have the same title as you, then they should be doing the same type of work. I don't know if it's as simple as you put it but that's my take.

[Dave Gray]

I don't think it's discrimination at all.  It's just like having the employees you deem as more "mentally able" to do certain tasks than those who aren't.  Those that are more "physically able" (which they deem as men) are asked to do more lifting.

[badger6]

If there's a lot of heavy lifting I would always think the younger guys would be the prime people doing the work, it only makes sense. How big is the company? If, as you say, it is in their job description to do everything that you are supposed to do, and they have the same title as you, then they should be doing the same type of work. I don't know if it's as simple as you put it but that's my take.

Yea, it's pretty much that simple. This is a supply chain for a major retailer with around 45,000 employees in the US. These other employees have the same title and are on the same pay scale. In fact, in the job qualifications and job description when they post an opening online, it states that an employee must be able to lift x amount of weight. When I ask these women why they are just standing there watching me work, they tell me that there is nothing else to do, which is probably true. I then suggest that they could help and they say that they can't lift that weight and that it is my job, not theirs. I'm like WTF, I get paid the same and they get to sit and watch me bust my ass.........

[badger6]

I don't think it's discrimination at all.  It's just like having the employees you deem as more "mentally able" to do certain tasks than those who aren't.  Those that are more "physically able" (which they deem as men) are asked to do more lifting.

Who says that I am more physically able to do harder work. That would be a presumption based on my sex, which to me seem illegal.

[Dave Gray]

The same title doesn't mean that you should have the same job.  It's not a matter of fairness.  You're paid (what I presume is) a fair wage to do whatever job your employer asks.  If you think that those requests are unreasonable, you should probably find another job that fits what you're looking for.  What others are asked to do aren't really your concern, in my opinion.

[Phishfan]

As the advertising campaign said, just do it.

[badger6]

The same title doesn't mean that you should have the same job.  It's not a matter of fairness.  You're paid (what I presume is) a fair wage to do whatever job your employer asks.  If you think that those requests are unreasonable, you should probably find another job that fits what you're looking for.  What others are asked to do aren't really your concern, in my opinion.

Actually after a little research online. The civil rights act of 1964 sections 7 protects certain groups equally against discrimination. Race, sex, age, and national origin are a few that are included. So if they are protected equally. What would the difference be if management deemed all black employees or Jewish employees to do the more physical work ? They are making a certain group of people do the harder work on an assumption based on sex, which is a protected group in the civil rights act of 1964. Below is straight from the EEOC website.

Sex-Based Discrimination

Sex discrimination involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of that person’s sex.

Sex discrimination also can involve treating someone less favorably because of his or her connection with an organization or group that is generally associated with people of a certain sex.

Sex Discrimination & Work Situations

The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.

So my unfavorable job assignments are being determined by my gender. I bet this is on a local management level. I bet corporate wouldn't agree with what's going on based on what I'm reading, but I'm no lawyer, ha ha.

[suck for luck]

If you don't mind me asking. what was the nature of the accident that caused the loss of your testicles?

[badger6]

If you don't mind me asking. what was the nature of the accident that caused the loss of your testicles?

Please explain ?

[Cathal]

Why do you think they hired people who are physically unable to perform the work? I would be upset if I'm doing all the work and a girl or older guy is sitting down doing nothing because they are physically unable to perform their job. I can see why you're upset.

[badger6]

Why do you think they hired people who are physically unable to perform the work? I would be upset if I'm doing all the work and a girl or older guy is sitting down doing nothing because they are physically unable to perform their job. I can see why you're upset.

Well if the job description in the online job posting says ability to lift xx lbs regularly and xxx lbs irregularity and we are all the same in the eyes of the company, but only a certain group of people have to actually do that work,  you tell me. I won't say that they are sitting down all day, but they definitely have a pretty easy time of it compared to some of us. And at the end of the week my paycheck is the same as theirs is.

[Cathal]

I'm agreeing with you in that I can see why you're upset. I wouldn't hire someone who couldn't do 100% of the job. It isn't an office job where you can do 80% of it and the other 20% you can learn on the job. In yours, it's if you can lift it you can, if you can't, you aren't hired.

[tubba marxxx]

Please explain ?

he basically told you to man-up.

[badger6]

he basically told you to man-up.

Man-up to what exactly ?