Anti-Semitism is a form of religious discrimination. If you have experienced discrimination against you at work because of your Jewish religion, then this is anti-Semitism and is prohibited under both federal and state legislation.
If you have experienced anti-Jewish discrimination, there are steps you may take to resolve the situation and have it stopped or obtain compensation from your employer if you can prove that discrimination has occurred.
It is important to understand how legislation helps to protect you from discrimination and what steps you can take to resolve it.
How to Handle Anti-Semitism at Work
Anti-Semitism is a form of religious discrimination specifically aimed at those who are of the Jewish faith. Discrimination in the workplace can take several different forms, including any combination of the following:
- being fired because you are Jewish;
- not hired because you are Jewish;
- overlooked for promotion or not given benefits that other non Jewish employees enjoy;
- not paid the same wages or overtime rates as non Jewish employees;
- Subjected to anti-Semitic taunts or verbal or physical abuse and harassment.
The first step is to familiarize yourself with the scope of federal and state legislation which prohibits anti-Semitism in the workplace.
The federal law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, is the main legislation which prohibits many forms of discrimination at work, including all forms of religious discrimination.
This legislation is administered by the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC). The EEOC investigates complaints it receives and may impose penalties or at least resolve cases of discrimination.
State agencies administer state anti-discrimination legislation which also includes in most cases, religious discrimination.
Keep a record or log of all incidents which you feel are discriminatory, including abuse or threats and harassment experienced. Make a note of dates of incidents and who and what was involved. A detailed log can act as useful evidence to support your claim of discrimination.
Physical evidence in the form of witness statements, e.g. from co-workers, correspondence such as emails, memos, letters and phone messages indicating discrimination, should be collected.
You should make an attempt to inform your employer that you have experienced anti-Semitism and give evidence and examples of how this has been experienced. Keep any correspondence and responses received from your employer.
If the complaint to your employer does not lead to satisfactory resolution, you may file a claim with the EEOC or the equivalent state agency.
The EEOC investigates cases of discrimination in larger workplaces, those with 15 or more employees. The state agency may handle claims filed by employees in smaller workplaces.
Your claim should be investigated and an attempt to resolve the claim may be made. If the EEOC or state agency cannot resolve the claim, you may be given a right-to-sue letter.
You can then file a lawsuit through the civil court process alleging a breach of employment discrimination legislation has occurred.
Get Help With Your Anti-Semitism Claim
Religious discrimination in the workplace is illegal according to both state and federal laws. If you have clear evidence that you have been discriminated against because you have experienced anti-Semitism or anti-Jewish harassment, abuse or discrimination, there are steps you may take to resolve the situation, such as filing a claim of discrimination with the EEOC.
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