Racial Discrimination

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RACIAL DISCRIMINATION LAWYERS

As a country, the United States has come a long way since the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s, but to this day, racism still persists in some workplaces.

Racism is defined by the United States Civil Rights Commission as “any action or attitude, conscious or unconscious, that subordinates an individual or group based on skin color or race. It can be enacted individually or institutionally.”

In some employment situations, an employee who belongs to a different race from the majority, or an entire group of people belonging to one or more other races, may be subject to discrimination in hiring, promotion, benefits, and day-to-day treatment at work.

Title VII

Racial discrimination can be blatant or subtle, but is in all cases illegal, prohibited by Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title IV prohibits employers from:

(1) Failing or refusing to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s race . . ., or

(2) Limiting, segregating, or classifying employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individual’s race . . .

Racial discrimination is still common and is often a factor in hiring, determining compensation, making promotions, or determining which employees will be assigned which tasks. It is important to identify signs of racial discrimination to protect your rights as an employee.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 35,395 discrimination complaints in 2011.

Manifestations of Racial Discrimination at Work

There are many ways racial discrimination raises its ugly head in the workplace. People of one race or another may be passed up to fill a job opening, despite excellent qualifications, or they may be hired only to do menial tasks, or to work unpopular shifts. They also may be repeatedly denied a promotion in spite of good performance. Members of a particular race may be paid less, or they may be subjected to racial jokes, slurs, or threats.

Damages for Victims of Racial Discrimination in the Workplace

If you have suffered racial discrimination in the workplace, you should consult an experienced discrimination lawyer to learn if you have a claim for damages. These might include loss of income and future earning potential, emotional anguish, and punitive damages, which are intended to punish the employer’s wrongdoing. In many cases, you will also be awarded attorney fees.

In Los Angeles, to protect your legal rights when you have been subjected to racial discrimination at work, you’ll find that the attorneys at the California Employment Legal Group have the experience you need when looking for a lawyer to represent you in your legal action against your employer. But even more important, they have a passion for justice and human dignity, believing that everyone should be able to exercise their right to work for a living without having to deal with demeaning, harassing, or discriminatory behavior.

Call today for a free consultation to discuss what you’ve experienced and learn about the options available to you. We take racial discrimination cases on a contingency fee retainer, so you never have to pay us anything until we win money for you, and we will always try to get your attorney fees included in the award, so you’ll put more of the recovery money in your own pocket.

There are time limits that apply, and a series of steps that you must take before filing a lawsuit, so it is important to contact the California Employment Legal Group as soon as you suspect you’re being discriminated against. Don’t delay, because doing so might compromise your legal rights.