Everyone who works in the U.S. has the right to work without being discriminated against or harassed. Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act makes it against the law for employers to discriminate against their employees because of the employee’s race, color, gender, orientation, religion, place of birth, or sex. The Federal government created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to make sure that workers aren’t discriminated against by their employers. If you are experiencing racial discrimination at work in violation of the Civil Rights Act you can report it and file a complaint with the EEOC.
The EEOC has a work share agreement with the labor authorities in 44 states. That means if you live and work in one of those states the EEOC will share your complaint with the state authorities so that they can also investigate your employer.
What Are Examples of Racial Discrimination?
The types of racial discrimination that most people experience at work include:
Not getting promoted
If you’ve been passed over for a promotion even though you have all the qualifications necessary for the job but someone who doesn’t have those qualifications has gotten promoted that could be discrimination.
Dress code restrictions
Dress codes that are racially targeted such as prohibiting natural hair styles or head coverings are discriminatory.
Racial slurs or demeaning comments
Any time you are subjected to racial slurs or demeaning comments about a particular race that’s discrimination.
Paying some employees less than others
Not getting paid the same as your colleagues is discrimination.
Not being given reasonable accommodations
If you need time off during a shift to pray or you need other reasonable accommodations and your employer refuses to provide them that’s discrimination.
Next Steps to Take
If you have been a victim of racial discrimination at work, you should first try to get your supervisor and your HR rep to stop the discrimination and harassment. If they refuse or won’t help you then you should file an EEOC complaint against your employer. You have the right to file a complaint if you are being racially discriminated against at work. Unlike many other states, Alabama does not have a state administrative agency to accept and investigate charges of racial discrimination. If you have experienced racial discrimination complaint and you work in Alabama, you will need to file a report to the EEOC.
Gather up any evidence that you have of the discrimination that you’re experiencing. Then go to the EEOC’s website and file a complaint online. You can upload all of the supporting evidence and documentation that you have. You should also include:
- Your name
- Your address and phone number (how you can be contacted)
- The name of the company where you work(ed)
- Location of the company (this maybe different from where you worked)
- Phone number of the company
- Manager or owners name
- Type of work you did
- Description of the racially discriminatory event or events.
You cannot be punished by your employer for filing a complaint. It’s against the law for your employer to fire you, bully you, or harass you for reporting the company.
Remedies for Racial Discrimination
If you were denied a promotion or lost pay as a result of racial discrimination you could receive a promotion, a raise, or a lump sum of money for back pay. Your employer can face fines of $10,000 or more and criminal and civil penalties for discrimination.
Additional Resources
- How to Write a National Origin Discrimination Letter
- What Is National Origin Discrimination?
- What Is Systemic Discrimination in the Workplace?
- What is the CROWN Act?
- Everything You Need to Know About Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- HR Told Me Not To Pursue My Racial Discrimination Case
- I Was Forced to Resign Because of My Race
