Many men and women would agree that it is a sad and scary time in the U.S. Events such as the Orlando shooting last week have the public on edge. Violence and loss can lead to desperation among people to try to prevent further tragedy.
Tragedy or not, U.S. citizens and employees have rights against discrimination. An employee from the Bronx claims that his employer has made him a target of harassment and discrimination at his New York place of work. He is suing the company through a federal discrimination lawsuit after his bosses supposedly accused him of being a part of ISIS.
According to the suit, the 34-year-old man, born in Yemen but living here since he was a child, has been asked inappropriate, discriminating questions at work. He also alleges that he has been called racist names and “humiliated” at work for other workers to see and hear. He claims he is owed overtime pay that’s been withheld and that his reputation was threatened should he decide to speak out against his bosses’ alleged discriminatory behavior.
His lawsuit shows that the purported threat didn’t stop the worker from speaking out against the illegal treatment he claims occurred in his place of work. And while many might understand why people here and around the world are on edge about potential terroristic threats, this worker and any other worker in a similar situation is right to fight back through the legal route.
New York workers and employees throughout the U.S. have the legal right to feel safe at work. That means physically safe, but also safe from discrimination and harassment. No one should go to work afraid that their color or appearance makes them a target of name-calling, degradation, humiliation or any other form of workplace discrimination.
