Discrimination
Discrimination describes behaviour that disadvantages people due to their gender, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation and disability. When combined with situational, social, political or economic power, prejudices, stereotypes, norms, values etc. can lead to discrimination.
These characteristics are markers of a diverse society and are protected from discrimination under the Federal Equal Treatment Act (Bundes-Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, B-GlBG), the Disability Employment Act (Behinderteneinstellungsgesetz, BEinstG) and the Universities Act (Universitätsgesetz, UG). You are not allowed to treat individuals unfairly because of these characteristics in the context of employment or education at the University of Vienna.
Good to know
- Discrimination can occur on many levels. It can be interpersonal, institutional, societal and/or structural.
- Discrimination ensures advantages for non-discriminated groups.
- People can also be discriminated against because of several characteristics at the same time. In these cases, the law speaks of multiple discrimination (e.g. discrimination of Muslim women or women with a disability).