Race Discrimination In The Community
Racial profiling and discrimination all across California happen every day. Minority communities – particularly African Americans and Latinos – are disproportionately targeted for stops, searches and arrests. This unequal treatment continues eroding trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The implementation of measures such as the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) aims to address these disparities by requiring the collection and analysis of data on police stops.
However, these groups still consistently face systemic inequities in various sectors, such as housing, employment and education. Efforts to address these issues include legislative measures, community advocacy, and reforms aimed at promoting equality and justice for all residents. But this is not enough, especially in the workplace.
Advocacy groups argue for more comprehensive strategies to ensure accountability, transparency, and equity within the justice system. The ongoing dialogue emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive and fair environment to treat everyone with dignity and respect.
What Is Race Discrimination At Work?
Employment law in California is a complex field that covers various aspects of the employer-employee relationship. One critical area of this law is race discrimination. These laws protect employees from unfair treatment based on their race. California law requires employers to take reasonable steps to prevent and correct discriminatory behavior. This includes providing training to employees and managers about discrimination and creating a workplace environment that respects all individuals. Employers must also have procedures in place for employees to report discrimination without fear of retaliation.
Race discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfavorably because of their race or characteristics associated with race, such as skin color, hair texture or facial features. This type of discrimination is illegal under both federal and state laws. In California, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) specifically prohibits racial discrimination in the workplace. FEHA applies to employers with five or more employees and offers broader protections than federal laws.
Examples of race discrimination include:
- Unfair hiring practices
- Unequal pay
- Biased promotions
- Harassment
- Derogatory comments about your national origin
- Wrongful termination
For instance, if a qualified person of color applies for a job but the employer hires a less qualified person of a different race, this could be considered race discrimination.
If an employee receives lower pay or fewer benefits than their colleagues of a different race, this may also be discriminatory. If you feel that you are a victim of discrimination at work because of your race, contact McMurray Henriks, LLP, today for a free consultation to discuss your circumstances.
Are You A Victim Of Race Discrimination?
You should document any incidents that support your claim. Keep a record of what happened, when it happened, and any witnesses who might have seen the discriminatory behavior. You should also follow your company’s procedures for reporting discrimination. However, if you do not feel comfortable doing so, or if your report is not taken seriously, it may be time to contact a lawyer.
At McMurray Henriks, LLP, we can help you understand your rights and the best course of action. We can help you in filing a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). These agencies investigate discrimination claims and can take legal action against employers if necessary.
We will also help you gather evidence to support your case. We will advise you on how to document incidents of discrimination. We may also interview witnesses who can corroborate your story.
We have experience working with employers engaging in ethnic discrimination to reach a settlement that may include compensation for lost wages, emotional distress and other damages. If your case goes to court, having a lawyer represent you can significantly improve your chances of success.
Preferential Treatment At Work: Is My Boss Breaking The Law?
What is preferential treatment? If a manager or supervisor favors one employee over others without performance-based reasons, this could be favoritism or pres. If this favoritism is based on age, ethnicity or gender, their favoritism crosses into illegal discrimination.
Here are some examples of employee favoritism or preferential treatment at work:
- Promotions and raises: Granting promotions or salary increases to certain employees based on personal relationships rather than merit or performance
- Work assignments: Assigning more favorable or less challenging tasks to preferred employees, while giving less desirable tasks to others
- Training and development opportunities: Offering training, development programs or career advancement opportunities to favored employees
- Scheduling: Giving preferred employees more flexible work schedules or allowing them to take time off more easily than others
- Performance reviews: Providing biased performance evaluations that unjustly favor certain employees
- Disciplinary actions: Being lenient with preferred employees when they violate company policies, while being strict with others for similar infractions
- Social invitations: Including favored employees in social or networking events, which can lead to better career opportunities, while excluding others
- Resource allocation: Providing better resources, tools, or support to certain employees, which can impact their ability to perform and advance
Keep in mind that favoritism, including hiring relatives, can be harmful to workplace morale and fairness, it is not necessarily illegal unless it involves discrimination based on protected characteristics such as age, disability, race, religion, gender or sex.
Employment Law Involving Racial Discrimination Cases Are Complex
Having an experienced racial discrimination attorney on your side can help you stand strong for justice. At McMurray Henriks, LLP, we will provide you with the guidance and support you need to navigate this challenging situation and seek justice. Call our office in Los Angeles at 323-931-6200 or send us an email to set up a free consultation. We take race discrimination cases on a contingency basis. This means you do not pay legal fees unless we win your case.