Identifying racism at work

On Behalf of | Jan 4, 2019 | Race Discrimination

Employees in New York and throughout the nation could face many different forms of discrimination. For example, they could be threatened with bodily harm or hear language that is offensive to someone of their race. However, because the law generally protects workers from overtly racist policies, racism in the workplace is often more subtle. In many cases, racism shows itself in the hiring and promotion policies that a company has.

This could be apparent if there is diversity in entry level positions but a lack of diversity in management. If employees in positions that require interaction with customers are the same race, it could be a sign of discrimination. It is important to note that discrimination can occur to anyone regardless of his or her race. It is also important to note that discrimination is not necessarily the same as racism. However, whenever an employee is denied an opportunity based on race or anything other than merit, it can be cause problems for that individual.

Employees who feel as if they are the victims of workplace discrimination will need evidence to back up their claims. Otherwise, little may be done about possible hiring, promotion or other issues. Employees should also refrain from making false accusations as it can hurt the careers of both the accuser and the accused.

Workers who believe that they have been the victims of racism or other types of discrimination may want to take action against an employer. This may be done by filing a lawsuit or a charge with the EEOC. An attorney may also be able to help a worker during any internal resolution process such as an arbitration hearing. If successful, an employee may be entitled to compensation and other relief.

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