Experts agree a recession is looming. During an economic downturn, employers in virtually all industries may institute layoffs to stay financially healthy.
Unfortunately, sometimes, they engage in racial discrimination when choosing who to let go. Accounting for an employee’s race when making firing decisions during a recession is an example of recessionary discrimination. If you’ve been a victim of this illegal practice, you may have grounds to file a claim.
What Does It Mean When Someone Is A Victim of Recessionary Discrimination When They’re Laid Off?
There are various factors an employer may not legally account for when making layoff decisions. An employee’s race is one such factor.
Regardless, some employers do wish to fire certain employees because of their race. To guard against being the target of claims or lawsuits, said employers may seek legal justifications for letting their employees go.
A recession could provide such a justification. You may have been the victim of recessionary discrimination if an employer fired you due to your race but claimed they were firing you as part of a necessary reduction in workforce during a recession.
How To Tell If I’ve Been Fired As A Result of Racial & Recessionary Discrimination.
An employer isn’t likely to openly admit that racial discrimination motivated a layoff decision. Thus, you need to monitor for signs that an employer has terminated you or will terminate you based on your race. Keeping track of these warning signs can help you build a strong case against an employer should you need to take legal action.
Signs to be aware of include:
- Having been subject to harsher disciplinary tactics than employees of other races
- Having earned lower wages than equally qualified or experienced employees of other races
- Being passed over for promotions and raises
- An employer having a history of not hiring candidates of a certain race
- An employer failing to address the issue when coworkers have made racial comments, jokes, etc.
What Should I Do If I Was Fired As A Result of Racial & Recessionary Discrimination?
Do you believe you were the victim of recessionary discrimination based on race? Or, do you believe this may happen in the near future?
To build a case demonstrating you were fired because of race, take the following steps:
- Keep a log in which you describe any experiences of racial discrimination
- Save any emails, text messages, and other such forms of correspondence which may indicate you’ve been a victim of discrimination
- File a formal complaint with HR
- Upon being fired, file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Contact a racial and recessionary discrimination attorney for more information
Get Help With Your Discrimination Claim
Polls indicate American workers of certain races still face discrimination at alarming rates. If you believe a racist employer has illegally used a recession as justification to fire you, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation and could potentially even get your job back. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation to get in touch with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website.
Additional Resources
- How to Write a National Origin Discrimination Letter
- Examples Of Racial Discrimination At Work
- How to Prove Racial Discrimination in the Workplace
