What is marital status discrimination?

As its name suggests, marital status discrimination is workplace discrimination based on an employee’s marital status. It can occur whether you are married or single.

The Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA)includes marital status as a protected group and unlawful discrimination arises when an employer makes employment decisions based on this status. Conduct may include the denial of employment, employment opportunities or promotions, harassment, unequal pay and/or other negative actions.

Where couples are not married, it is worth noting that civil unions (or domestic partnerships) provide greater legal protection in the event of a relationship breakdown or death than the legal protection given to cohabiting couples.