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. Note that, however, civil partnerships (mostly undertaken by same sex couples) do not have the same legal status as religious marriages but almost all the same protections.

The 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.

Here’s a good summary of civil unions and marriage and what it means for employees and employers.