Dealing With Racial Discrimination At Work In New Jersey
It is no secret that many people of multiple nationalities flock to the U.S for better job opportunities every year. However, those who have placed high hopes in the American dream – where race is not an impediment to success – may soon find their hopes dashed. Even born-and-bred Americans of color can find themselves victims of racial discrimination at work, let alone foreign-born employees. However, it’s widely known that racial discrimination is illegal in the workplace and you can seek legal recourse if it has happened to you.
At Carcich O’Shea, LLC, we believe that everyone should be given equal career opportunities and if that has been infringed upon, the assistance they need to exercise their legal rights. Read on to find out how you can deal with racial discrimination in the workplace.
Ways Racial Discrimination Can Manifest
Sometimes, it is fairly obvious when racial discrimination has occurred, such as when a less qualified person is hired or promoted over a qualified person of a different race. However, not all cases are as clear cut and can sometimes be difficult to prove. Subtle microaggressions, such as not conveniently leading an employee out of social events, can cause emotional distress as well as bar an employee’s path to career progression.
In some cases, the employer may not be the perpetrator – coworkers can serve to make an employee feel unwelcome through the use of racial slurs and insults. This is also a form of racial discrimination in the workplace. When that happens, it needs to be brought to the attention of the employer and decisive action taken. If the employer is unable to handle such behavior by its employees, you may want to seek legal assistance.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act passed in 1964, all forms of discrimination are outlawed in the workplace. This includes discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, and nationality. Under the law, employers cannot:
- Segregate employees by race
- Refuse to hire an applicant based on their race
- Take disciplinary action against an employee based on their race
- Pay an employee less or deny them perks on the basis of race
- Deny an employee promotions because of their race
This applies not just to employers, but labor unions as well. If you have been denied membership to a labor union for racial reasons, you could have a legal case.
Turn to Carcich O’Shea For Representation
If any of the above sounds familiar to you, you may have a case for racial discrimination in the workplace. You may even have tried to bring it to attention but no one seems to take you seriously. However, at Carcich O’Shea, LLC, we listen. We think you deserve to be heard. We are well-versed in the latest employment laws and will see to it that your rights are fairly represented.
Contact us today if you would like to discuss what can be done to ensure you are being treated fairly in the workplace and if not, what legal action you can take.