1. Workplace Discrimination
  2. Racial Discrimination

Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination at work is illegal under both state and federal anti-discrimination legislation. Racial discrimination occurs when an employee is discriminated against because of their racial identity and not because of their ability to do the job they have been doing.

Racial discrimination at work can occur in many different forms such as:

  • not being hired because of one’s race;
  • fired because of one’s race;
  • not paid correctly because of one’s race;
  • passed over for promotion or opportunity to do overtime because of one’s race;
  • harassed or abused verbally, or through other forms of communication because of one’s race.

Racial discrimination at work is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is a federal law. Nearly every state has an equivalent law that prohibits discrimination in the workplace because of one’s racial identity.

If you believe that you have suffered racial discrimination at work, you should file a discrimination claim, initially with either the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) or the equivalent state body. You must be able to provide evidence that you have been discriminated against because of your race and not for some other legitimate reason such as poor work habits.

If either agency cannot resolve your complaint, you may be given the opportunity to pursue a lawsuit against your employer and seek appropriate compensation such as back pay, legal and court fees and for emotional and psychological harm. You are advised to use an employment law attorney to help you with any court case.

More information about racial discrimination can be found below: