What term is used when members of a particular group are treated unfairly in an organization?

The term that defines the unfair treatment of members of a particular group within an organization is discrimination. This concept refers specifically to actions that result in unequal treatment based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or other defining traits. Discrimination can manifest in various forms, including hiring practices, promotions, and workplace interactions, impacting the overall environment and opportunities available to affected individuals.

In contrast, while prejudice and bias are related concepts, they primarily refer to attitudes or perceptions rather than the direct actions that lead to unfair treatment. Prejudice involves preconceived opinions that are not based on reason or actual experience, while bias denotes a tendency to favor one group over another, which may or may not lead to discriminatory practices. Segregation, on the other hand, refers to the act of separating groups of people, often associated with systemic inequality, but does not exclusively denote unfair treatment as discrimination does.