In the State of California, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against applicants or workers based on their race, national origin, or skin color. If you have been the victim of racial discrimination in the workplace, you have an understanding of the emotional impact discrimination can have. What you are likely unaware of is that racial discrimination also has economic consequences. When facing racial discrimination in the workplace, your long-term career opportunities may be impacted, your income can be lower than what it should be, and you may face a reduction in other benefits.
Fortunately, racial discrimination in the workplace is against the law in California. Here, we will discuss how you can recognize racial discrimination in your place of work and what you can do today to proptect your rights.
Recognizing Race-Based Discrimintion in the Workplace
Discrimation based on a worker’s race occurs when an employer takes adverse action against a job applicant or employee because of that person’s race. Examples of racial discrimination in the workplace can include the following:
- You submit an application for employment and are turned down for the position. When inquiring about the reason for the rejection, the employer refuses to provide an explanation; nonetheless, you have noticed that there are workers who belong to the same racial group as the employer.
- Worker layoffs for the company have been announced by your employer. You have noticed that a vast majority, if not all, of the workers who have been laid off belong to a certain racial group.
- You learned that you receive significantly less compensation than your co-workers, despite your level of education, job performance, training, and skills.
- You are regularly turned down for promotions, where less qualified workers have been provided those opportunities.
What Can Be Done Today to Combat Racial Dicrimination
If you suspect you are the victim of racial discriminaton and are considering filing a claim against your employer, there are a number of steps you can take to preserve your legal rights.
No. 1 – Journal
Keep a journal of discriminatory acts and harassment you have experienced. Include the following in your journal:
- Time and dates of the incidents,
- The place where the incident took place,
- The name of those who were involved, and
- The name of those who witnessed the incident occur.
This journal should be kept at home or in another safe place.
No. 2 – Report the Incident in Writing
A vast majority of employers have policies in their employee handbook with respect to race discrimination. If there is a policy for this, it is important to follow the procedures in the handbook to report the discrimination and harassment. If no such policy exists, a written report should be filed with your immediate supervisor or human resources. A written report should not be long or even formal, and an email should suffice.
No. 3 – Keep a Record
Keep copies of all emails, text messages, and other documents that could corroborate your version of events. Keep copies of documents you believe are harassing or discriminatory. If your place of work has an employee handbook, obtain a copy of this as well. Copies of performance reviews should also be kept.
No. 4 – Do not Quit Your Place of Work
Cases where the worker has quit his or her place of work before reporting the dicrimination can face difficulty in winning the lawsuit. Experiencing dicrimination in the workplace can be very stressful. When possible, it is recommended that you seek professional counseling when dealing with anxiety, distress, depression, or other trauma.
Obtain the Support of a Skilled Attorney Today
If you suspect you are the victim of racial discrimination in the workplace, you will need to consider discussing your legal options with a well-versed attorney. By filing a claim, you may be able to recover compensation for wages and benefits lost and monetary reparations for emotional distress. Additionally, you may be able to prevent the employer from discriminating against other workers in the future.
The attorneys at SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporationunderstand that dealing with a hostile work environment can be daunting. With many years of dedicated experience, the legal team has garnered the knowledge and experience necessary to defend the most adverse cases. Consider obtaining the legal support of the attorneys at SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporationtoday.
