Legislative approaches to nondiscrimination at work: a comparative analysis across 13 groups in 193 countries

Heymann, J. and Bose, B. and Waisath, W. and Raub, A. and McCormack, M. (2020) Legislative approaches to nondiscrimination at work: a comparative analysis across 13 groups in 193 countries. [Publications (Pre-joining)]

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Abstract

Purpose There is substantial evidence of discrimination at work across countries and powerful evidence that antidiscrimination laws can make a difference. This study examines the extent of protections from discrimination at work in countries around the world and which groups were best covered. Design/methodology/approach This study assesses legal protections in hiring, pay, promotions/demotions, terminations and harassment for 13 different groups across 193 countries using a database the authors created based on analysis of labor codes, antidiscrimination legislation, equal opportunity legislation and penal codes. Differences in levels of protection were examined across social groups and areas of work, as well as by country income level using Chi-square tests. Findings Protection from gender and racial/ethnic discrimination at work was the most common, and protection across migrant status, foreign national origin, sexual orientation and gender identity was among the least. For all groups, discrimination was more often prohibited in hiring than in promotion/demotion. There was inconsistent protection from harassment and retaliation. Research limitations/implications Addressing discrimination at work will require a broad range of synergistic approaches including guaranteeing equal legal rights, implementation and enforcement of laws and norm change. This study highlights where legislative progress has been made and where major gaps remain. Originality/value This article presents findings from an original database containing the first data on laws to prevent discrimination in the workplace in all 193 countries around the world. The study analyzes legal protections for a wide range of groups and considers a full range of workplace protections.

Item Type:	Publications (Pre-joining)
Authors:	Heymann, J. and Bose, B. and Waisath, W. and Raub, A. and McCormack, M.
Document Language:	Language English
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Discrimination, Antidiscrimination legislation, Employment legislation, Workplace, Comparative policy analysis
Subjects:	Social sciences > Sociology & anthropology > Groups of people > Ethnic and national groups Social sciences > Groups of people > Ethnic and national groups Social sciences > Law > Labor, social, education & cultural law
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > School of Development
Full Text Status:	Restricted
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/6633
Publisher URL:	https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-10-201...

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