Federal and Texas state laws prohibit racial and national origin discrimination, yet it still occurs in workplaces across the country every day. If an employer discriminates against an employee based on race in decisions on hiring, firing, promotion, demotion, compensation, or other terms of employment, the courts can hold the employer responsible for the victim’s damages. Consult a seasoned Austin racial discrimination attorney as soon as possible if you’ve experienced workplace discrimination based on your race.
What is Racial Discrimination?
Race discrimination involves discrimination on the basis of physical, cultural, or ancestral characteristics associated with a certain race. This includes skin color, facial features, and hair textures or styles. All forms of race discrimination are illegal in the state of Texas, and offenders can face legal consequences.
Race discrimination may also be based on skin pigmentation, complexion, tone, or shade. It can take place between different races as well as within one race. For example, an African American employer can choose not to hire another African American with a lighter or darker skin tone. Racial discrimination can be overt or obvious, taking the form of:
- Racist slurs
- Inappropriate or offensive jokes and remarks
- Wrongful termination of employment because of race
- Refusing to hire someone of a certain race
- Paying an employee of a certain race less than other employees for the same job and proficiency
- Providing disparate benefits
- Inappropriately segregating employees or applicants by race
In addition to these, race discrimination can be any other form of negative employment action based on race or ancestry. If you have been the subject of any of discriminatory practices based on race, don’t hesitate to contact a compassionate Austin employment lawyer at Ross • Scalise Employment Lawyers for legal advice.
Race Discrimination in the Texas Workplace
Race discrimination in the workplace results in an employee of one race or national origin getting different treatment than other employees because of his or her appearance or ancestry. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment decisions on all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment based on race.
Title VII prohibits practices and company policies that have a negative impact on a protected group of people, even if the policy of practice may appear neutral on its surface. It also makes it illegal to harass someone based on race. Title VII applies to all employers with at least 15 employees, as well as state and federal governments, employment agencies, labor organizations, and training programs.
Race discrimination in the workplace can impact a victim’s ability to succeed and earn a living, as well as self-esteem, professional confidence, and many other facets of life. If you’ve been a victim of workplace race discrimination, you may not know how to proceed. Fear of retaliation or losing your job may prevent you from speaking out.
Federal and state laws protect victims of race discrimination from retaliation for making a complaint, but retaliation still occurs. A skilled Austin racial discrimination attorney can help you pursue claims for discrimination and any retaliation that may take place.
Local Austin Racial Discrimination Lawyers That Get Results
With over 20 years of experience in employment law, Ross • Scalise Employment Lawyers has the ability and resources to pursue your race discrimination case with the EEOC and, if necessary, in court. To stand a chance against discriminatory workplace environments or employers, you need an attorney who routinely represents cases of employment litigation. Ross • Scalise Employment Lawyers has lawyers with extensive knowledge of employment law.
To learn about how to preserve your rights against race and national origin discrimination, trust Ross • Scalise Employment Lawyers. We can help you follow the right procedures and steps to file a claim against the employer and process a discrimination charge with the EEOC. For a phone evaluation regarding your race discrimination case, call our office at 512-474-7677 or contact us online by filling out our online consultation form today.