Racial Discrimination in the Workplace
Racial discrimination is when an individual’s race or skin color is unfairly targeted as a qualifier for an employment opportunity or promotion. The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission reported almost 34,000 racial discrimination complaints in 2008, accounting for almost 35% of all employment claims filed that year. If companies are found guilty of unfairly screening applicants for skin color, asking inappropriate question regarding race during an interview, etc., they could be held liable according to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Title VII specifically prohibits companies from using skin color or race as a deciding factor when hiring or promoting employees.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of racial discrimination in the workplace, the discriminatory company could be held liable. The Austin retaliation lawyers of The Melton Law Firm can help. Contact one of our attorneys by calling (512) 330-0017 today.
About Title VII
Title VII seeks to protect racial minorities from unfair bias and treatment in the workplace. Examples of behaviors that would violate Title VII include:
- Disallowing time off for sicknesses linked to race
- Discrimination based on social relationships
- Perception that an individual is of a certain race
- Discrimination based on an individual’s physical appearance
- Discrimination based a person’s speaking voice or accent
Title VII does not protect employees who work for a private contractor, defined as a company with 15 employees or less. Although it is not racially specific, employees for private contractors are still protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1866 which guarantees individuals the right to work free of general discrimination or harassment.
Contact Us
The Austin retaliation lawyers of The Melton Law Firm can help you resolve your racial discrimination issues. Call (512) 330-0017 to speak with one of our licensed attorneys today.
