Forms of Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination in the workplace can affect an employee’s hiring opportunities, pay, promotions, job assignments, working conditions, and continued employment. Federal and California laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees because of race, color, or other protected characteristics.

Racial discrimination can take different forms, and it is not always obvious. If you believe you have been treated unfairly because of your race, an experienced employment attorney in Los Angeles can help you understand your rights and evaluate your potential legal options.

Racial Discrimination Laws

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. These protections apply to employees and applicants who meet the requirements of the law.

California law also provides protections against racial discrimination in the workplace. Depending on the circumstances, employees may have protections under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) in addition to federal law.

Racial discrimination laws can apply to many aspects of employment, including hiring, compensation, promotions, assignments, discipline, benefits, and termination.

If you believe you have experienced racial discrimination, an employment lawyer can help you understand which federal and California protections may apply to your circumstances.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Depending on the circumstances of a case, an employee may need to file a charge with the EEOC or another appropriate agency before pursuing certain legal claims.

The filing process and applicable deadlines can vary depending on the type of discrimination involved and the laws that apply. Employees should be careful not to assume that they have unlimited time to take action.

An experienced employment attorney in Los Angeles can help you understand the administrative process, applicable deadlines, and potential next steps for your situation.

Proving Racial Discrimination

Proving racial discrimination can be complicated because employers may provide legitimate reasons for employment decisions that an employee believes were discriminatory. The evidence required will depend on the specific facts and legal theory involved.

Evidence that may be relevant to a racial discrimination claim can include:

Comments or statements related to an employee’s race
Different treatment of employees of different races
Discriminatory hiring, promotion, or termination decisions
Workplace policies that disproportionately affect a particular racial group
Emails, text messages, performance reviews, or other written communications
Comparisons between how similarly situated employees were treated
A pattern of discriminatory conduct over time

For example, if you were terminated and believe your race played a role in the decision, evidence about your treatment compared with other employees may be important. You generally do not need to prove that race was the only factor involved in every discrimination claim; the applicable legal standard depends on the type of claim and circumstances.

A Los Angeles employment attorney can review the available evidence and help you understand whether it may support a racial discrimination claim.

Contact Shegerian Conniff Today

Experiencing racial discrimination can have a significant impact on your career and financial security. If you believe your employer has treated you differently because of your race, you may have legal options.

Shegerian Conniff represents employees throughout California in employment matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other workplace violations. Our Los Angeles employment attorneys can review your circumstances and help you understand the protections that may apply to you.

If you are looking for an employment law firm in Los Angeles to discuss a potential racial discrimination claim, contact Shegerian Conniff for a free and confidential consultation. Our Los Angeles employment lawyers can help you evaluate your situation and understand your potential legal options.