Financial Services Resource Center for HR: Discrimination and Harassment

This item is part of Financial Services Resource Center for HR

Sex discrimination in the form of sex stereotyping, compensation discrimination and sexual harassment is all too common in the financial services industry, evidenced by significant complaints from women in this industry regarding these issues. Additionally, although the number of women employed in the financial services industry has increased, women still suffer from wage discrimination and limitation in their ability to reach positions of power. Further, financial services employers should also be aware of discrimination based on religion, age, and disability, among other protected categories. As a result, financial services employers should create policies and practices that reinforce a zero tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment, and reiterate the notion of equal opportunity for all employees. Employers should aim to prevent discrimination by providing training on discrimination and harassment and should make sure that employees know how to bring a complaint. Financial services employers also should be aware that a number of class action lawsuits have been brought against financial institutions and banks claiming sex discrimination and wage discrimination.

XpertHR has the following information to help financial services employers understand how to prevent and respond to all instances of discrimination and harassment in the workplace: