Fast food workers play essential roles in society. They ensure that we get food fast and efficiently. These individuals work hard for their money, and they depend on their paychecks to take care of their families and to cover basic living expenses.
Employers have a duty to ensure fast food workers, just like other employees, have a safe, non-hostile work environment where they feel comfortable and can do their job peacefully with all employees being treated fairly and equally. If you have suffered workplace discrimination as a fast food worker, you may be able to pursue a claim against your employer to recover your damages.
How a Fast Food Work May Experience Discrimination
Discrimination can take many forms, and often, it is discreet. Employees can be discriminated against for many things, including gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or cultural background, religion, color, and so forth.
There are federal laws in place to prohibit discrimination. Many states have their own laws, which are more detailed and specific, that are designed to prohibit employees from being mistreated. According to the law, qualified applicants or employees cannot be mistreated because of any of these things.
As an example, you are an Asian American. You applied for a cashier job at a restaurant, but you were told “you can cook Chinese food because that is something you look like you would be good at.” Or, you are a man who has applied for a job as a cook, and you were turned down because “a woman’s place is in the kitchen, but you can handle the janitorial duties.” Another example would be for a transgender employee, who is highly qualified, to be turned down for a job because your “appearance does not meet the business image.”
If you have suffered discrimination on the job, be sure to document everything and maintain all the supporting evidence and documentation that you can. You cannot succeed with your claim if you do not have supporting evidence that shows what happened, when it happened, and how it happened.
You should also make note of any witnesses because if you have witnesses to back up your claim. It can be very beneficial to the outcome of your workplace discrimination case.
Filing a Discrimination Claim as a Fast Food Worker
If you have suffered workplace discrimination as a fast food worker, you will need to maintain supporting evidence and documentation. This will include any digital evidence, such as recordings, videos, or photos that support your claim and show that the discrimination took place.
Statements from any witnesses that detail what happened as well as when and where it happened are also needed. Keep things like paystubs, your employment contract, any memos, text messages, or emails that may help support your claim.
Your first step will be to notify your employer by talking with a manager or with human resources. Be sure to maintain proof that you notified them of the incident. Also, document their response and keep any correspondence from them.
If you are not satisfied with the response of your employer, or if the matter is not resolved within, you should advance your claim to the next level and file a claim with the state Labor Board or with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The representative will interview you then notify your employer, giving them an opportunity to respond and present their evidence. They will work to ensure the issue is resolved fairly and properly.
If the matter cannot be resolved by the state Labor Board or by EEOC, they may recommend that you take the next step if they find your claim to be worthy. They may suggest that you file a lawsuit against your employer for workplace discrimination as a fast food worker.
Help With Your Discrimination Claim
If you are a fast food worker who has suffered workplace discrimination, you may want to seek the assistance of a lawyer. Some workplace discrimination attorneys require a retainer to be paid, but others do take cases on a contingency basis. Discuss the payment options with the lawyer during your case review.
Remember you only have a limited amount of time to pursue a claim, so complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share details with an attorney who handles such cases in your area. With the help of a lawyer, you may be more likely to recoup compensation for your losses and put an end to the illegal behavior and mistreatment.
