Antisemitism in the workplace is not always obvious. As such, antisemitism in the workplace may sometimes, if not oftentimes, be subtle.
For instance, maybe you have been forced to resign from a position. Forced resignation refers to an occurrence in which your employer pressures you to voluntarily leave a job instead of firing you.
Do you have reason to believe your employer wanted you gone because they are antisemitic? If so, you may have a wrongful termination claim.
What Is Forced Resignation?
When an employer wants to let an employee go, they may not always fire them. Sometimes, employers pressure or ask employees to voluntarily resign instead.
In certain situations, employers may have good reasons for doing so. For instance, perhaps an employee is doing their best to succeed in their role, but they simply aren’t qualified for their job. As the employee’s employer, they likely understand that firing if they were to fire this employee, it would likely have a negative impact on the employee’s reputation and prospects for future jobs. With this understanding, the employer could ask the employee to resign.
However, there are instances when employers wish to fire employees for illegal reasons. When this happens—i.e., when an employer illegally fires an employee—they run the risk of being the target of a wrongful termination claim. Thus, in order to avoid being the target of wrongful termination claims, these employers may force their employees to resign. However, what these employers might not realize is the fact that forcing an employee to resign for illegal reasons is still illegal and such an employee may still be considered a victim of wrongful termination and the employer may still be the target of a wrongful termination claim.
What is Antisemitism in The Workplace?
Antisemitism is prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people. In the workplace, antisemitism can take many forms, including:
- Harassment, such as slurs or jokes about Jewish people
- Denying opportunities for advancement to Jewish employees
- Using stereotypes about Jewish people to make decisions about hiring, promotion, or pay
- Displaying symbols of hate or intolerance towards Jewish people
Antisemitism is illegal under both federal and state law and is considered a form of discrimination. If you believe you have been the victim of antisemitism in the workplace, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
What To Do If You’re Forced To Resign Due To Jewish Religion
Do you believe you have been or will be forced to resign because of Jewish discrimination in the workplace? If so, you may gather evidence to support your claim in the following ways:
- Keep a written log of instances of potential religion discrimination, in which you describe the nature of the incident, when it occurred, and who was involved
- Save any correspondence or documents that could indicate Jewish discrimination occurs in your workplace
- List the names and contact information of witnesses who can support your story
- File a claim with the EEOC
It is also very wise to consult with a lawyer handling forced resignation cases when filing such a claim. This is because a lawyer may be able to help you strengthen your case.
Get Help With Your Forced Resignation Claim
Unfortunately, antisemitism remains fairly common. Approximately one in four Americans reporting having experienced antisemitism at some point in their lives. And, sometimes, antisemitism occurs in the workplace.
Have you been forced to resign because you are Jewish? If so, contact a wrongful termination attorney. They may assist you in pursuing justice. To get started, complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website.
