"While Fighting Caste Discrimination, We Became Victims of Job Position Discrimination"

For decades, India has fought hard to dismantle the caste-based discrimination that once pervaded its society. Through legislation, affirmative action, and social awareness, many battles have been won, and today, there is a growing consciousness about caste equality. However, as the tide turns in this long-fought war, a new and insidious form of discrimination has quietly taken root in our workplaces:

That non-other than "Job position discrimination".

The very spaces where people come to earn a livelihood, prove their skills, and rise through merit are, in some cases, breeding grounds for bias based on rank and title. The old battle for caste equality is slowly being replaced by a struggle for respect in job hierarchies. As we sought to fight one form of prejudice, we unintentionally allowed another to emerge.

The Historical Battle Against Caste Discrimination

India’s caste system, a deeply entrenched hierarchy, was a social scourge for centuries. However, in modern times, legal reforms such as the abolition of untouchability, reservation policies, and the increasing awareness of social justice have brought a sea of change. Movements led by social reformers like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar challenged this oppressive structure and created pathways for historically marginalized communities to advance economically and socially.

While caste-based discrimination is far from eradicated, it is openly challenged in today’s world. In many workplaces, equal opportunity policies and progressive practices ensure that one’s caste does not dictate one’s career trajectory.

Job Position Discrimination: A Silent Crisis

In this seemingly more egalitarian landscape, a new kind of bias has emerged—discrimination based on job position. No longer defined by caste alone, people are now judged by the titles they hold within organizational hierarchies. The CEO commands respect and admiration, but the entry-level associate may struggle to have their voice heard. The project lead’s suggestions are often heeded without question, while a clerk’s innovative ideas can be ignored or undervalued simply because they don’t come with the authority of a title.

This dynamic fosters an unhealthy environment where job roles define worth and, in turn, perpetuate a toxic culture of superiority. Employees at lower ranks face a lack of recognition and are treated as second-class citizens, despite their capabilities. Just as caste discrimination undermines social mobility, job position discrimination impedes merit-based career advancement.

Psychological and Social Impacts

The psychological toll of this discrimination cannot be understated. When an individual is constantly made to feel inferior because of their job title, it erodes their confidence and mental well-being. Employees in lower-ranking positions may feel overlooked and undervalued, leading to disengagement, lower productivity, and even a desire to leave the organization.

Moreover, this stratification breeds resentment between employees at different levels. In organizations where hierarchy is rigid and respect is distributed based on job position, collaboration suffers. Innovation stalls because those with brilliant ideas feel silenced, and those at the top, insulated by power, fail to see the benefits of more inclusive decision-making.

The Intersection of Caste and Job Position Discrimination

In some cases, caste-based and job position discrimination intersect, creating a compounded form of bias for those who occupy lower-ranking roles while also belonging to marginalized castes. Such individuals face dual layers of inequality, where both their caste and job position become barriers to recognition and growth. The struggle, for them, is not just against historical prejudice but also a modern power imbalance perpetuated by corporate hierarchies.

Real-World Examples

Consider the case of a mid-level manager from a marginalized caste who excels in their role but consistently finds their opinions side-lined in favour of higher-ranking individuals. Despite years of hard work and proven results, they are bypassed for promotions that are instead given to those whose job titles already carry weight. Or, think of the entry-level employee whose unique insights on a project are ignored until a senior staff member echoes the same ideas, instantly receiving credit.

These examples highlight the subtle yet significant ways in which job position discrimination manifests in everyday corporate life.

A Call for Change

As we continue to make strides in dismantling caste-based discrimination, we must also acknowledge and address the growing problem of job position bias. A truly inclusive workplace is one where respect and value are not defined by a title but by the contributions, skills, and experiences that every individual brings to the table. It is crucial for organizations to cultivate cultures that emphasize merit, collaboration, and equality across all levels.

Leadership must lead the charge in recognizing this issue, fostering environments where every employee, regardless of rank, feels empowered to speak up, share ideas, and contribute to the company’s success. Hierarchies are necessary for structure, but they should never be used to silence or suppress the voices of those lower on the organizational chart.

Conclusion

While our fight against caste discrimination continues, we must not allow ourselves to fall victim to a new kind of inequality. Job position discrimination is a silent but pervasive issue that undermines the principles of meritocracy and equal opportunity. To create truly fair and inclusive workplaces, we need to challenge this bias head-on, ensuring that respect and recognition are given based on merit, not title.

It’s time to shift our mindset. As we continue to win the battle against caste-based bias, let us also stand against the discrimination born from job hierarchies, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their position, is valued for the unique contributions they make.