4.9 Discrimination

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Questions on work-related discrimination were fielded in 1972, 1978–83, 1988, and 1995.  In general, respondents indicated whether they had experienced a particular type of discrimination (age, race, religion, nationality, or sex).  If a respondent experienced any type of discrimination, a follow-up question elicited information on the type(s) of discriminatory practice experienced (e.g., the respondent believed that she was not hired, interviewed, or promoted; was demoted or laid off; or was paid less for the same work).  The 1988 survey contained an expanded discrimination section that asked respondents about steps they had taken to resolve the problem and the eventual outcome.  This interview also expanded the categories of discriminatory practices to include performance evaluations and relations with coworkers or supervisors.

As Table 4.9.1 indicates, information on the various types of work-related discrimination and discriminatory practices has been collected across survey years.  The reference period of most work-related discrimination questions has been the five-year period preceding each interview; in the 1972, 1982, and 1995 survey years, a shorter two-year interval was referenced.

Table 4.9.1 Types of Work-Related Discrimination Data by Survey Year

 

Survey Year

Type of Discrimination

72

78

80

82

83

88

95

Age

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Sex

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Race

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Religion

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Nationality

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Marital Status

 

*

 

 

*

*

*

Health/Handicap/Disability

 

 

 

*

*

*

*

Weight

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Sexual Orientation

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

AIDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Survey Instruments: Discrimination questions can be found in the “Retrospective Work History,” “Attitudes,” “Work Attitudes,” and “Work History” sections of the questionnaires.

User Notes: From 1978-91, the format of the discrimination questions shifted from a single “most important” response to that of a “mark all that apply.” These multiple responses have been coded in a geometric progression; users should refer to section 3.3, “Young Women Codebook System,” and Appendix C in this guide for more information. In 1995, the question format shifted again; respondents were asked to give a yes or no response for each type of discrimination. Therefore, answers are no longer coded in a geometric progression.

 

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