Sorry Bodd, I haven't got the time to write a book.
Let this comment from noseall provide a springboard for just one example.
When I was working for a large national chain, I frequently applied for promotion, some times to newly opened facilities. So many times less qualified and less experienced people were promoted, sometimes from outside the organisation. Eventually, after multiple occasions of such instances, I approached the MD verbally ( I didn't want to make a formal approach) to express my frustration. He assured me that 'my time will come'.
The next job that became available was a 'down-market' job in an inner city. It wasn't 'the job' that I wanted, but I felt I had to apply as I had applied for so many others.
So I was finally promoted to a 'less desirable' position. Was it because so many others hadn't applied? Or because I was considered the best fit for that job? Or because my informal discussion with the MD was acted upon?
Was that discrimination? Or just an unfortunate set of circumstances?
Just to end this tale, I made such a success of that first promotion, subsequent promotions came quickly and easily. I even suspected that I had the specific support of the MD, and the less supportive members of management were hard pressed to 'keep me in my place'.