Discrimination Law Firm Stands up to Racial Bias

New York and Federal laws prohibit employers from discriminating against an employee based on either race or ethnicity. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency that investigates claims of discrimination in the workplace. The New York City and New York State Human Right Laws also make it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.

Many employers fail to take adequate steps to discourage and address racial discrimination in the workplace. Some implement what they believe are neutral policies which nonetheless have adverse effects on members of racial minorities. Unscrupulous employers still engage in overt racial discrimination against employees and applicants. An employee in this situation may feel helpless to object and believe they have no recourse, because they need their job. However, with the help of an experienced New York employment discrimination lawyer you can fight against racial bias in the workplace and demand the right to be judged by your skill and abilities, not your ethnicity.

How Racial Discrimination Manifests in the Workplace

Employers have a legal and moral responsibility to prevent racial discrimination in the workplace. And while most large companies know better than to engage in overt racial discrimination, many individual employees and supervisors don’t. Employers must take reasonable steps to discourage and address racial discrimination among their employees. In certain instances employers can be held liable for the racially motivated actions of employees, customers, or even third parties. Such actions may include:

• Using ethnic/racial slurs
• Spreading ethnic/racial jokes or cartoons
• Openly disparaging your race or ethnicity
• Overt comments about your racial or ethnic characteristics
• Refusal to hire or termination of employment due to race or ethnicity

When this type of conduct becomes frequent or severe enough to create a hostile work environment, employers can be held liable for not addressing it. New York City discrimination laws have a lower threshold for what constitutes employer liability than federal statutes. If you can show that you were mistreated by a supervisor because of your race, and the harassment went beyond minor slights, your employer is accountable.

Consult with an Experienced Lawyer

Workplace racial discrimination can take a significant financial and emotional toll on victims and their families. Fortunately, federal and state laws exist to provide remedies to help employees obtain justice.