In the United States, federal laws protect certain classes from workplace discrimination. Although it is illegal, employment discrimination is an unfortunate occurrence across workplaces around the world. If you feel like you have been the victim of discrimination, there are ways you can protect yourself. Contact an Atlanta employment discrimination attorney for more information and experienced legal representation.
What is Employment Discrimination?
Employment discrimination can look like a lot of different things. In general, it can be described as an employer treating an employee or applicant unfairly and less favorably because of certain characteristics. You may also face harassment or discrimination from coworkers. Under federal law, employees are protected from discrimination based on the following.
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Sex
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Religion
- Disability
- Veteran status
What Are My Rights in the Workplace?
Every employee and applicant has the right to a discrimination-free work environment and to be treated equally to their peers. You have the right to feel safe at work. Under the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) an employer cannot make hiring decisions, firing decisions, salary decisions, assignment delegation, or general treatment based on the aforementioned characteristics. You also have the right to not be retaliated against if you report an incident of discrimination.
What Should I Do to Protect Myself if I’m the Victim of Workplace Discrimination?
It can be jarring and scary to experience discrimination in the workplace. It is never okay for someone to discriminate against you. There are several steps you can take after finding yourself the victim of discrimination.
- Look into your company policies. Check your employee handbook for anti-discrimination and harassment policies. It is important to educate yourself about the company’s rules so you can be sure that what you experienced fits the description of discrimination and you can find information on who to report the incident to.
- Document any incidents. Whether the discrimination is coming from your supervisor, a coworker, or the CEO, keep notes of the details of the occurrences. Important details can be the names of those involved, if there were any witnesses, and the dates and times of the incidents.
- File a complaint. Email your complaint with detailed notes to the appropriate parties so you have written documentation of your complaint. It is important to have proof of your complaint and a paper trail of your correspondence. Be detailed in your complaint and do not be afraid to say exactly what type of discrimination you have been the victim of. Ask them to launch an investigation and insist that something is done to stop the mistreatment.
- Speak with a lawyer. You can talk to a lawyer at any point in this process. You may wish to confer with them before filing a complaint as they can review your company’s policies and more effectively understand the complexities of employment discrimination laws. They can also help you file a complaint with the EEOC or the OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs) if needed. Your attorney will be your biggest advocate and ensure you get the justice you deserve.
