What is meant by disparate treatment?

Disparate treatment refers to the practice of intentionally treating individuals differently in employment decisions based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or age. This type of discrimination occurs when an employer deliberately applies different standards to similar situations because of these protected characteristics. For example, if a hiring manager prefers candidates from a certain demographic group while overlooking equally qualified candidates from other groups, that reflects disparate treatment.

This concept is critical in understanding employment law and human resource management to ensure fairness and equity in the workplace. Organizations must be aware of their policies and practices to avoid any indications of disparate treatment, as it can lead to legal issues and a toxic work environment. It highlights the importance of treating all employees and job applicants equitably, thus ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce.

The other options represent concepts that do not align with the definition of disparate treatment. Equal application of job policies suggests a fair and uniform approach, not discrimination. Supporting diversity in the workplace emphasizes inclusion rather than differential treatment. Randomized hiring practices imply an unbiased method that does not consider individual characteristics, contrary to the principle of disparate treatment.