Final answer:
Covert discrimination refers to the unequal treatment in employment opportunities based on personal characteristics such as race or gender. Laws in the U.S. forbid this discriminatory practice. Notably, female workers on average earn less than male counterparts, indicative of the prevailing issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Covert discrimination is a catchall term that describes when people are denied employment opportunities because of their identity group or personal characteristics such as sex, race, age, or other factors. Discrimination in labor markets occurs when employers pay workers with the same skill levels—as measured by education, experience, and expertise—different amounts or provide them with different job opportunities because of characteristics like race, gender, religion, or age. In the United States, laws exist that forbid employment discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics including age, disability, national origin, pregnancy, race/color, religion, or sex. In the context of average earnings, it has been observed that female workers earn less than male workers, and Black workers earn less than White workers. Controversy persists on how much these earnings gaps can be explained by differences in education and job experience versus outright discrimination.