What is the term for treating people less favorably because of their characteristics such as ethnicity or gender?

The term that describes treating individuals less favorably due to their characteristics, such as ethnicity, gender, or other personal attributes, is discrimination. This practice is fundamentally about prejudice and unfair treatment, often manifesting in various social, professional, and legal contexts. Discrimination can lead to significant negative impacts on individuals' opportunities and well-being, perpetuating inequality and social injustice.

Harassment, while related, specifically involves unwanted and offensive behavior directed at an individual, often in a way that creates a hostile environment. Negligence refers to a failure to take proper care in doing something, typically related to legal liability and not directly to the treatment based on personal characteristics. Exploitation involves unfairly benefiting from someone else's work or situation, but it does not inherently relate to the unfavorable treatment based on inherent traits such as ethnicity or gender. Thus, discrimination is the most accurate term for this specific scenario.