The Sources of Organizational Discrimination in Labor Markets

Organizational discrimination is a form of discrimination based on the factors such as race, age, gender, religion, ethnic origins, sexual orientation, obesity, physical or mental disability. Numerous studies have investigated the factors affecting on employment discrimination. However, few studies have focused on the effects of sexual orientation, obesity, physical or mental disability, political opinion, national origin, birth or other status in organizational discrimination. This study aims to eliminate the lack of research on this subject in human resource management literature. The goal of the study is to investigate the types an the sources of organizational discrimination in the World and Turkey. In study, types of discrimination in labor market, the concept of organizational discrimination, organizational discrimination based on factors such as gender, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, religious, disability and obesity are discussed. According to the findings of the research, it showed that compared to the United States, Japan, China, Korea as well as European Union Countries, discrimination based on gender, ethnic origin, age and religious are seen more in Turkey. Particularly, the types of discrimination had focused on in the job processes such as hiring, wage, job training and promotion. When literature and statistical findings of some institutions and organizations analyzed, it determined that discrimination based on gender and ethnic origin had occurred more in Turkey. Subsequently, the two types of discrimination are followed by discrimination based on age and disability discrimination. However, it is difficult to make a realistic determination due to insufficient data related to discrimination based on sexual orientation, obesity discrimination and racial discrimination in Turkish labor markets. On the other hand, when discrimination literature towards labor examined, there are many concrete cases related to religious discrimination due to observance differences in Turkey. It is required to come into force deterrent legislative regulations and enforce the contracts of International Labour Organization in order to prevent discrimination in Turkish labor markets and Turkish business. Finally, it is emphasized that the study has some limitations and suggestions are included about the researches to be done related to discrimination in the future.