National origin discrimination in the workplace is when both applicants for jobs and employees are treated unfavorably because they are from a particular country or part of the world, due to their ethnicity or accent, or because they appear to be of a certain ethnic background. National origin discrimination could also involve treating employees unfavorably because of their association with a person of a certain national origin.
The law does not allow discrimination based on an employee’s national origin in any employment situation which includes hiring, firing, amount of pay, types of job assignments, availability of promotion, being subject to a layoff, being offered further training, access to fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment that affects all employees.
Employees have federal protection from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 & Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). Title VII is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
If you believe you have suffered from national origin discrimination at work because of your national origin you may be able to file a claim for discrimination.
The type and amount of compensation will depend upon the extent of the discriminatory action and the effect it had on the victim. For example, if an employee is not selected for promotion due to discrimination based on national origin, the compensation may include being offered the promotion and back pay from when the discrimination took place attorney's fees, witnesses’ fees, and court costs.
Here are more resources for National Origin Discrimination:
- Everything You Need to Know About the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
- Examples of National Origin Discrimination
- How Do You Respond To National Origin Discrimination in the Workplace?
- How to Prove National Origin Discrimination
- National Origin Discrimination Sample Letter
- What Is National Origin Discrimination?
- Where to Report National Origin Discrimination at Work
