If you believe that your employer is paying you less because of your race, you could be the victim of pay discrimination. It’s important to understand the workplace rights that you have so that you don’t get taken advantage of.
If your employer is violating your rights, you may be eligible to file a claim against them. You could be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering, back pay, or other money if your workplace rights have been violated.
Protections Against Pay Discrimination
All workers in the United States have protections against things like discrimination. Discrimination based on race, which includes paying you less because of your race, is illegal in every state. There are several laws that protect workers from discrimination based on race.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 says that employers who have more than 15 employees cannot discriminate against their employees based on their race, sex, color, religion, or where they are from. That means your employer cannot pay you less because of your race, no matter what state you live in.
In addition to Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act also outlaw discrimination based on race, sex, age, or disability.
It’s not just the Federal government that has laws that make it illegal for your employer to pay you less because of your race. 48 out of the 50 states also have state laws that dictate employees must be paid fairly and can’t be paid less because of factors like their race.
If you suspect that your employer has been paying you less than other employees because of your race, and your employer has more than 15 employees, you can file a discrimination complaint against your employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
But before you file your claim, you will need to build your case.
Build Your Case
When you file a complaint against an employer, you have to have evidence that shows your employer acted in a way that violated either state or Federal employment law. So you will need to gather as much evidence as possible that proves you were the victim of pay discrimination.
The way to prove that you were paid less than other employees because of your race is to gather documents like:
- Time cards
- Pay stubs
- Deduction notifications
- Your initial job offer
- The company’s handbook or a copy of their anti-discrimination policy
- Statements from other employees detailing their pay
- Memos, emails, or any documentation related to your wage
- Performance evaluations
- All emails, texts, or phone messages from your managers or supervisors
And any other documents you think show a pattern of discrimination.
File A Claim
Once you have gathered as much evidence as you can, you can file your claim with the EEOC. You can also file a claim with the state’s employment law enforcement agency. You can file your EEOC complaint online or on the phone.
Importance Of Legal Guidance
It can be difficult to prove pay discrimination. Working with an employment lawyer can help you understand the process of filing a complaint and what evidence you need to submit to prove your claim. An employment attorney can also help you understand your options and guide you through the process.
To speak with an employment lawyer right now, fill out a Free Case Evaluation. You’ll be connected with an independent attorney who subscribes to this website and may be able to help you with your case.
